theocracy

American  

[thee-ok-ruh-see] / θiˈɒk rə si /

noun

plural

theocracies

1. 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.

2. a system of government by priests claiming a divine commission.

3. a commonwealth or state under such a form or system of government.

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theocracy British  

/ θɪˈɒkrəsɪ /

noun

1. government by a deity or by a priesthood

2. a community or political unit under such government

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theocracy Cultural  

1. 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.)

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Other Word Forms

• theocrat noun
• theocratic adjective
• theocratical adjective
• theocratically adverb

Etymology

Origin of theocracy

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

Example Sentences

Perhaps no less important, this compendium captures both the end of the Pahlavi monarchy and the start of the theocracy that still governs Iran, granting viewers an often telling glimpse of Persian society in flux.

From The Wall Street Journal

“A totalitarian state is in effect a theocracy,” Orwell wrote in his diary while he was working on the book.

From Salon

We might use the term theocracy, although it's a little more complicated than that.

From Salon

Intersected at its peak by a thin crescent — most likely a representation of the Golden Order, the dark fantasy world’s ruling theocracy — it feels bluntly referential to saints and prophets and resurrections.

From New York Times

The Larijani family has long been powerful in Iran’s Shiite theocracy.

From Seattle Times