Definition of oligarchy Oligarchy

/ɑˈlʌgɑˌɹki/ - [alugarkee] - ol•i•gar•chy

We found 9 definitions of oligarchy from 7 different sources.

What does oligarchy mean?

WordNet

Noun

Plural: oligarchies

oligarchy - a political system governed by a few people; "one of his cardinal convictions was that Britain was not run as a democracy but as an oligarchy"; "the big cities were notoriously in the hands of the oligarchy of local businessmen"

form of government, political system the members of a social organization who are in power

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Wiktionary

oligarchy (Noun)
A government run by only a few, often the wealthy.
oligarchy (Noun)
Those who make up an oligarchic government.
oligarchy (Noun)
A state ruled by such a government.

Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘

oligarchy (n.)
A form of government in which the supreme power is placed in the hands of a few persons; also, those who form the ruling few.

OmegaWiki DictionaryOmegaWiki Dictionary Ω

oligarchy
Government by only a few, often the wealthy.

Chambers DictionaryChamber's 20th Century Dictionary 📕

oligarchy
ol′i-gärk-i, n. government by a small exclusive class: a state governed by such: a small body of men who have the supreme power of a state in their hands.—n. Ol′igarch, a member of an oligarchy.—adjs. Oligarch′al, Oligarch′ic, -al, pertaining to an oligarchy. [Fr.,—Gr., oligos, few, archein, to rule.]

Wikipedia

Oligarchy is a form of government. In an oligarchic system, all the power is held by a small group of people. It is usually to the most powerful people to govern the state.

Rule by the best.

An oligarchy where "the best" rule is called "Aristocracy".

Rule by the rich.

If the richest people rule the country, this is called "Plutocracy".