gerontocracy

American  

[jer-uhn-tok-ruh-see, jeer-] / ˌdʒɛr ənˈtɒk rə si, ˌdʒɪər- /

noun

plural

gerontocracies

1. government by a council of elders.

2. a governing body consisting of old people.

3. a state or government in which old people rule.

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gerontocracy British  

/ dʒəˌrɒntəˈkrætɪk, ˌdʒɛrɒnˈtɒkrəsɪ /

noun

1. government by old people

2. a governing body of old people

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gerontocracy Cultural  

1. A society ruled by elders.

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Other Word Forms

• gerontocrat noun
• gerontocratic adjective

Etymology

Origin of gerontocracy

First recorded in 1820–30; geronto- + -cracy

Example Sentences

Despite the widespread criticism, few serious solutions have been proposed to tackle the country's gerontocracy.

From Salon

Senate, the gerontocracy remains alive and well — and little commented upon.

From New York Times

Only Ms. Porter, who just turned 50, referred to it directly, but the balance between experienced representation and gerontocracy was a clear subtext.

From New York Times

Maybe the gerontocracy was yielding, and America-2 was turning a new page.

From New York Times

Once an obscure word, "gerontocracy," which means a government ruled by people who are significantly older than the adult population, is now increasingly part of Americans' vocabulary.

From BBC