Fifth Republic

American

noun

the republic established in France in 1958, the successor to the Fourth Republic.

Fifth Republic British

noun

the French republic established in 1958 as the successor to the Fourth Republic. Its constitution is characterized by the strong position of the president

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Not content with mere parliamentary preeminence, de Gaulle quickly fashioned a Fifth Republic with a semimonarchical presidency to which he was elected the following year, an office he would hold for a decade.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

Under the political system of France's Fifth Republic, the president is elected for five years and then appoints a prime minister whose choice of cabinet is then appointed by the president.

From BBC • Dec. 12, 2024

Under France's Fifth Republic, the Senate has less influence over legislating than the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament.

From Reuters • Sep. 24, 2023

Only once since France’s Fifth Republic was established in 1958 has a government fallen in a no-confidence vote.

From New York Times • Mar. 20, 2023

France’s strong presidential powers are a legacy from Gen. Charles de Gaulle’s desire to have a stable political system for the Fifth Republic he established in 1958.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 19, 2023

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023