junta

American  

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

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.

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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.

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

Mali's Tuareg rebels told AFP Wednesday the country's ruling junta will fall and that they intend to conquer the north, just days after unprecedented large-scale attacks targeting the nation's military government.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

The junta had popular support when it seized power nearly six years ago, promising to deal with Mali's long-running security crisis.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

Mali's junta is locked in struggles with both the FLA and jihadist groups.

From Barron's • Apr. 25, 2026

The same year, he was granted a Niger diplomatic passport that designated him a "special adviser" to the junta leader Abdourahamane Tchiani.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

The suspect most locals considered the killer was a member of the junta.

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

Related Words

• faction
• government