junta

[hoon-tuh, juhn‑, huhn‑]

noun

1. a small group ruling a country, especially immediately after a coup d'état and before a legally constituted government has been instituted.

2. a council.

3. a deliberative or administrative council, especially in Spain and Latin America.

4. junto.

junta

/ ˈdʒʊntə, ˈhʊntə, ˈdʒʌn- /

noun

1. a group of military officers holding the power in a country, esp after a coup d'état

2. Also called: junto. a small group of men; cabal, faction, or clique

3. a legislative or executive council in some parts of Latin America

junta

1. A group of military leaders who govern a country after a coup d'état.

Pronunciation Note

When the word junta was borrowed into English from Spanish in the early 17th century, its pronunciation was thoroughly Anglicized to . The 20th century has seen the emergence and, especially in North America, the gradual predominance of the pronunciation , derived from Spanish through reassociation with the word's Spanish origins. A hybrid form is also heard.

Word History and Origins

Origin of junta¹

1615–25; < Spanish: a meeting, noun use of feminine of Latin junctus, past participle of jungere to join; junction

Word History and Origins

Origin of junta¹

C17: from Spanish: council, from Latin junctus joined, from jungere to _join

Example Sentences

Niger has suspended hundreds of national and international rights groups and aid agencies, in the ruling junta's latest crackdown targeting NGOs in the west African country, authorities told AFP Thursday.

Read more on Barron's

Myanmar's junta has long been accused of turning a blind eye but has trumpeted a crackdown since February after being lobbied by key military backer China, experts say.

Read more on Barron's

For Myanmar’s junta, it’s a lifeline to move money when the dollar doors are closed.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The west African nation's ruling junta is locked in an ongoing battle against jihadists, who recently started a fuel blockade on the country while extending their influence across a large swathe of territory.

Read more on Barron's

A famous Guinean singer who is critical of the ruling military junta said his children had been kidnapped over the weekend, sparking outrage in the west African country.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• faction 
• government