theocracy

[thee-ok-ruh-see]

See more synonyms for theocracy on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural the·oc·ra·cies.

a form of government in which God or a deity is recognized as the supreme civil ruler, the God's or deity's laws being interpreted by the ecclesiastical authorities.
a system of government by priests claiming a divine commission.
a commonwealth or state under such a form or system of government.

Origin of theocracy

From the Greek word theokratía, dating back to 1615–25. See theo-, -cracy

Related formsthe·o·crat·ic

[thee-uh-krat-ik] /ˌθi əˈkræt ɪk/, the·o·crat·i·cal, adjectivethe·o·crat·i·cal·ly, adverbnon·the·o·crat·ic, adjectivenon·the·o·crat·i·cal, adjectivenon·the·o·crat·i·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for theocracy

Contemporary Examples of theocracy

He challenged the very core of the Iranian theocracy and demanded respect for basic human rights.
Behind Bars for the Holidays: 11 Political Prisoners We Want to See Free In 2015
Movements.Org
December 25, 2014
Salafis, who believe in a Muslim theocracy, say the Egyptian government must interpret Shariah and enforce it upon the nation.
Egyptian 'Democracy' in Action
Justin Green
November 21, 2012
They shudder from the mere thought that Rabbi Amar's admonition may come about and Israel will turn into a theocracy.
Does Israel Need A Chief Rabbi?
Uri Regev
September 25, 2012
Nor, for that matter, is the Iranian theocracy, Hamas, or Hizbullah.
Assad’s House of Cards
David Keyes
August 24, 2011
In that sense America, like [Old Testament] Israel, is a theocracy.
Bachmann's Unrivaled Extremism
Michelle Goldberg
June 15, 2011

Historical Examples of theocracy

The Massachusetts colonial government has been called a theocracy.
The Land We Live In
Henry Mann
They are the hieroglyphics of feudalism, succeeding those of theocracy.
Notre-Dame de Paris
Victor Hugo
So Garotte became a sort of theocracy, with Judge Rablay as ruler.
Eatin' Crow; and The Best Man In Garotte
Frank Harris
In the Theocracy, the Hebrew nation were the hereditary nobles.
The Parables of Our Lord
William Arnot
They had visions of a theocracy, and were impatient of an earthly king.
The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 11
Various

British Dictionary definitions for theocracy

theocracy

noun plural -cies

government by a deity or by a priesthood
a community or political unit under such government

Derived Formstheocrat, nountheocratic or theocratical, adjectivetheocratically, adverb

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

Word Origin and History for theocracy

1620s, "sacerdotal government under divine inspiration" (as that of Israel before the rise of kings), from Greek theokratia "the rule of God" (Josephus), from theos "god" (see Thea) + kratos "a rule, regime, strength" (see -cracy). Meaning "priestly or religious body wielding political and civil power" is recorded from 1825.

theocracy in Culture

theocracy

[(thee-ok-ruh-see)]

A nation or state in which the clergy exercise political power and in which religious law is dominant over civil law. Iran led by the Ayatollah Khomeini was a theocracy under the Islamic clergy. (See Islam.)