republic

[ ri-puhb-lik ]

/ rɪˈpʌb lɪk /

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See synonyms for republic on Thesaurus.com

noun

a state in which the supreme power rests in the body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by representatives chosen directly or indirectly by them.

any body of persons viewed as a commonwealth.

a state in which the head of government is not a monarch or other hereditary head of state.

(initial capital letter) any of the five periods of republican government in France.Compare First Republic, Second Republic, Third Republic, Fourth Republic, Fifth Republic.

(initial capital letter, italics) a philosophical dialogue (4th century b.c.) by Plato dealing with the composition and structure of the ideal state.

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Origin of republic

1595–1605; <French république,Middle French <Latin rēs pūblica, equivalent to rēs thing, entity + pūblicapublic

OTHER WORDS FROM republic

sem·i·re·pub·lic, noun

Words nearby republic

Reptilia, reptilian, reptilium, Repton, Repub., republic, republican, republicanism, republicanize, Republican Party, Republican River

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use republic in a sentence

“I think engaged citizens are good for the republic,” he said.
In Florida, the Gutting of a Landmark Law Leaves Few Felons Likely to Vote|by Lawrence Mower and Langston Taylor, Miami Herald and Tampa Bay Times|October 7, 2020|ProPublica
Last night’s “presidential debate”—less debate than headache, and far from presidential—set a high-water mark for the division that threatens to drown this pandemic-wracked republic.
There is no such thing as ‘apolitical culture’|rhhackettfortune|September 30, 2020|Fortune
In the early years of the republic, the Senate overrepresented the slower-growing South, and many political battles were fought over the admission of new states that could shift the balance between North and South.
America needs a democratic revolution|Matthew Yglesias|September 17, 2020|Vox
It’s the only way to honor those we have lost, to uphold the ideals this country is supposed to rest on, and to build a stronger, fairer republic for everyone.
Levi Strauss CEO: We can’t solve racial inequality if gun violence and voter disenfranchisement persist|jakemeth|September 1, 2020|Fortune

At times it appears they are trying to turn the United States into a banana republic or the next Belarus.
Be optimistic but work your ass off|Peter Rosenstein|August 20, 2020|Washington Blade
An examination of the complicated history of America and its movies in the Republic of Korea.
Propaganda, Protest, and Poisonous Vipers: The Cinema War in Korea|Rich Goldstein|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Second Republic was also considered the another golden age for Korean Cinema.
Propaganda, Protest, and Poisonous Vipers: The Cinema War in Korea|Rich Goldstein|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
To the Republic of Korea and United States military personnel stationed in the JSA, it is known as Propaganda Village.
Propaganda, Protest, and Poisonous Vipers: The Cinema War in Korea|Rich Goldstein|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Not so lucky are the editors and writers at The New Republic.
The Novel That Foretold the TNR Meltdown|Nicolaus Mills|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A hard look at campus rape statistics, the collapse of The New Republic and the day John Lennon died.
The Daily Beast’s Best Longreads, Dec 8-14, 2014|William Boot|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Gallinas, the noted slave factory on the west of Africa, purchased by the Liberian republic.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
Enchanted with the golden period of the Grecian republic, I passed over the storms by which it had been agitated.
Madame Roland, Makers of History|John S. C. Abbott
Recognition of the Philippine Republic as soon as the difficulties with America should be overcome.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
Recognition of a Philippine Republic would have been in direct opposition to the spirit of the treaty of peace.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
The time had been when the proclamation of a republic would have filled her soul with inexpressible joy.
Madame Roland, Makers of History|John S. C. Abbott

British Dictionary definitions for republic

republic

/ (rɪˈpʌblɪk) /

noun

a form of government in which the people or their elected representatives possess the supreme power

a political or national unit possessing such a form of government

a constitutional form in which the head of state is an elected or nominated president

any community or group that resembles a political republic in that its members or elements exhibit a general equality, shared interests, etcthe republic of letters

Word Origin for republic

C17: from French république, from Latin rēspublica literally: the public thing, from rēs thing + publica public

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for republic

republic

A form of government in which power is explicitly vested in the people, who in turn exercise their power through elected representatives. Today, the terms republic and democracy are virtually interchangeable, but historically the two differed. Democracy implied direct rule by the people, all of whom were equal, whereas republic implied a system of government in which the will of the people was mediated by representatives, who might be wiser and better educated than the average person. In the early American republic, for example, the requirement that voters own property and the establishment of institutions such as the Electoral College were intended to cushion the government from the direct expression of the popular will.

republic

Origin of republic

OTHER WORDS FROM republic

Words nearby republic

Words related to republic

How to use republic in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for republic

Word Origin for republic

Cultural definitions for republic