junta

American  

[hoon-tuh, juhn‑, huhn‑] / ˈhʊn tə, ˈdʒʌn‑, ˈhʌn‑ /

noun

• juntas
  plural

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.

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junta British  

/ 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

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junta Cultural  

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

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Pronunciation

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.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• juntas
  plural

Etymology

Origin of junta

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

Explanation

When a government is overthrown, the coalition or group that forms and takes control is called a junta. If the military has seized control, as so often happens, then the group is called a military junta. Junta is pronounced with an initial h sound, which gives you a clue to its origins. It’s from the Spanish junta, for a military or political group ruling the country after it has been taken over. Spanish got junta from the Latin jungere, to join. Remember, all the players in the junta must join together to overthrow the government.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

junta juntas

Mali's military junta has suffered several battlefield setbacks in recent weeks.

From BBC ● Aug. 1, 2026

The anti-scam law is the first legislation passed by Myanmar's new government, headed by former junta chief Min Aung Hlaing.

From Barron's ● Jul. 28, 2026

Argentina, ruled at the time by a military junta led by General Leopoldo Galtieri, invaded the islands, situated 300 miles off Argentina's east coast, in 1982.

From BBC ● Jul. 16, 2026

At one point, the rebels threatened to unseat the junta.

From Barron's ● Jul. 10, 2026

Farmer was hoping Aristide would openly challenge the junta by running for president.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French

Benin officials suspect Tigri, Samary and the sergeant have found shelter with one of the neighboring military juntas.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 12, 2026

Military juntas seized power in all three countries, promising to curb the insurgency.

From BBC ● Feb. 11, 2026

Burkina Faso and Mali, which are both led by military juntas, responded in statements issued separately by their foreign ministries, seen Wednesday by AFP.

From Barron's ● Dec. 31, 2025

Ruled by military juntas, both countries have ended the presence of Western troops, particularly French forces, over recent years.

From Barron's ● Oct. 20, 2025

The next three months were spent almost entirely in establishing provisional juntas in the different capitals.

From Journal of a Voyage to Brazil And Residence There During Part of the Years 1821, 1822, 1823 by Maria Graham

Related Words

• faction
• government