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View synonyms for

democracy

[dih-mok-ruh-see]

noun

plural

democracies 
  1. government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system.

  2. a state having such a form of government.

    The United States and Canada are democracies.

  3. a state of society characterized by formal equality of rights and privileges.

  4. political or social equality; democratic spirit.

  5. the common people of a community as distinguished from any privileged class; the common people with respect to their political power.



democracy

/ ɪˈɒəɪ /

noun

  1. government by the people or their elected representatives

  2. a political or social unit governed ultimately by all its members

  3. the practice or spirit of social equality

  4. a social condition of classlessness and equality

  5. the common people, esp as a political force

“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

democracy

  1. A system of government in which power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through freely elected representatives.

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Democratic institutions, such as parliaments, may exist in a monarchy. Such constitutional monarchies as Britain, Canada, and Sweden are generally counted as democracies in practice.
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Other Word Forms

  • antidemocracy noun
  • nondemocracy noun
  • predemocracy noun
  • prodemocracy adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of democracy1

First recorded in 1525–35; from Middle French édzپ, from Late Latin ŧdzپ, from Greek ŧǰí “popular government,” equivalent to ŧ- demo- + -kratia -cracy
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Word History and Origins

Origin of democracy1

C16: from French édzپ, from Late Latin ŧdzپ, from Greek ŧǰپ government by the people; see demo- , -cracy
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"Political violence is abhorrent, it cuts against the most basic moral fabric of our democracy. It's critical that those who commit these acts be held accountable under the law," he added.

From

When Fishkin began his work around the end of the Cold War, most people in academics and the general public still believed that democracy was working well.

From

There are other political forces as well, from those who want to establish a secular democracy to those who seek a parliamentary monarchy and so on.

From

Bass is now sparring with the president and his administration at a perilous moment for her city and possibly for democracy.

From

Any conversation on the fragility of American democracy, the resurgence of fascism and authoritarianism and the future of the Constitution is, inherently, a discourse about Latinos — and about all Americans.

From

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Related Words

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When To Use

is democracy?

Democracy is a system of government where the citizens of a state exercise power to rule the state, either directly or through electing representatives.

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democideDemocracy in America