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Dictionary Language resources

oligarchy

Syllabification: (ol·i·gar·chy)

Pronunciation: /ˈäliˌgärkē, ˈōli-/

Definition of oligarchy

noun (plural oligarchies)

a small group of people having control of a country, organization, or institution:the ruling oligarchy of military men around the president
a country governed by an oligarchy:the English aristocratic oligarchy of the 19th century
government by oligarchy.