1 monarch | Definition of monarch

monarch

noun
mon·​arch | \ ˈmä-nərk How to pronounce monarch (audio) , -ˌnärk\

Definition of monarch

1 : a person who reigns over a kingdom or empire: such as
a : a sovereign ruler
b : a constitutional (see constitutional entry 1 sense 3) king or queen
2 : one that holds preeminent position or power cotton, monarch of the textile worldWall Street Journal

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Other Words from monarch

monarchal \ mə-​ˈnär-​kəl How to pronounce monarchal (audio) , mä-​ \ or monarchial \ mə-​ˈnär-​kē-​əl How to pronounce monarchial (audio) , mä-​ \ adjective

Synonyms for monarch

Synonyms

autocrat, potentate, ruler, sovereign (also sovran)

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Examples of monarch in a Sentence

a new history of French monarchs the ruling monarch of Britain at that time was Queen Elizabeth I

Recent Examples on the Web

Fuller has lately been channeling mythical monarchs, playing with gestures which nod toward regalia like perching a crown overhead, or clutching a scepter, grasping, perhaps, at an outward expression of feminine power and beauty. Lauren Warnecke, chicagotribune.com, "Momenta’s ‘Counter Balance’ has ingenious duets and wheelchair dance, as well as some unnecessary fluff," 9 Sep. 2019 These days, the monarch stays out of political affairs and only prorogues parliament at the request of her prime minister. Erin Blakemore, National Geographic, "The dramatic history of prorogation in British parliament," 29 Aug. 2019 The suspension will end on October 14 for the Queen's Speech, where the monarch will present the governmental agenda for the next parliamentary session. Emily Dixon, CNN, "Over 1 million people sign a petition opposing Boris Johnson's plans to suspend Parliament," 29 Aug. 2019 Occasionally these functions put the monarch in a gray zone between politics and government. Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, "Queen Elizabeth Approves Boris Johnson's Request to Suspend Parliament Ahead of Brexit," 28 Aug. 2019 Back in the day, monarchs weren't typically still kicking well into their '90s, of course. Kayleigh Roberts, Marie Claire, "Why Prince William and Kate Middleton Will Have a Lot of Paperwork to Do When He Becomes King," 25 Aug. 2019 Painted by artist Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger around 1600, the symbol-laden work features a seemingly ageless monarch in her prime. Meilan Solly, Smithsonian, "See Scrap of Cloth Believed to Be From Elizabeth I’s Only Surviving Dress," 15 Aug. 2019 The monarch is supposed to be above politics and Queen Elizabeth II has stuck to those rules throughout her reign. Maria Puente, USA TODAY, "Boris Johnson & the Queen: What did Her Majesty say? What do his foes wish she'd said?," 23 July 2019 Even after Ethiopia was liberated and the monarch reinstalled in 1941, Pankhurst’s advocacy didn’t wane. Abdi Latif Dahir, Quartz Africa, "The British suffragette who was crowned an “honorary” Ethiopian," 25 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'monarch.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of monarch

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for monarch

Late Latin monarcha, from Greek monarchos, from mon- + -archos -arch

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More Definitions for monarch

monarch

noun

English Language Learners Definition of monarch

: a person (such as a king or queen) who rules a kingdom or empire

monarch

noun
mon·​arch | \ ˈmä-nərk How to pronounce monarch (audio) , -ˌnärk\

Kids Definition of monarch

1 : a person who reigns over a kingdom or an empire

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