gerontocracy

[ jer-uhn-tok-ruh-see, jeer- ]

noun

, plural ger·on·toc·ra·cies.

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.

gerontocracy

/ dʒəˌrɒntəˈkrætɪk; ˌdʒɛrɒnˈtɒkrəsɪ /

noun

1. government by old people
2. a governing body of old people

gerontocracy

1. A society ruled by elders.

Derived Forms

• gerontocratic, adjective
• geˈrontoˌcrat, noun

Other Words From

• ge·ron·to·crat [j, uh, -, ron, -t, uh, -krat], noun
• ge·ronto·cratic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gerontocracy¹

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

Example Sentences

Gerontocracy, that is, government by the aged, is the most ancient form of government.

From Project Gutenberg