What does aristocracy mean?
Aristocracy denotes the highest social class in many traditional societies, typically composed of hereditary nobles who held titles, land, and political power. It can also refer more abstractly to a system of government in which authority rests with such a privileged minority rather than with the people at large. Derived from Greek words meaning 'rule by the best,' the term was once defended by philosophers as governance by the most capable citizens, though in practice it usually described rule by birth and wealth. Today the word appears frequently in historical and political contexts, often with a connotation of inherited privilege or entrenched hierarchy, and it can be extended figuratively to describe any dominant elite, such as an 'aristocracy of money.' Related terms include aristocrat, meaning an individual member of the class, and aristocratic, describing its manner or character.
The highest hereditary social class, especially one holding noble titles and privileges.
"The estate had belonged to the aristocracy for generations before being sold."
Often preceded by an adjective such as 'landed,' 'old,' or 'hereditary' when referring to a specific historical class.
Government or rule by a privileged class regarded as superior in birth, wealth, or ability.
"Plato considered whether aristocracy might be the ideal form of government."
Figuratively, any group perceived as the dominant or most influential class within a society.
"Critics claimed the nation was now ruled by an aristocracy of tech executives."
The plural is used chiefly in comparative or historical discussion of different nations' noble classes or ruling elites.
"Comparing the aristocracies of England and France reveals sharply different paths to modernity."
The word comes from Greek for 'rule by the best' — though its critics have always suspected that 'best' simply meant 'richest.'
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of aristocracy
Aristocracy entered English in the early 16th century from Middle French and Latin, ultimately deriving from Greek 'aristokratia,' a combination of 'aristos' (best) and 'kratos' (power or rule). The Greek term originally meant rule by the best citizens, a concept Aristotle discussed alongside oligarchy and polity. The '-cracy' element recurs across English political vocabulary, appearing in words such as democracy, plutocracy, autocracy, and theocracy, all built on the same Greek root for power.
Related word forms
How aristocracy is actually used
Formal register, common in historical and political writing. In modern usage it often carries a connotation of inherited privilege and can be used figuratively for any dominant elite (e.g., 'an aristocracy of wealth'). The plural 'aristocracies' is used when comparing different nations' systems.
Easily confused with aristocracy
Autocracy means rule by a single absolute ruler, whereas aristocracy means rule by a privileged noble class.
An aristocrat is an individual member of the nobility, while aristocracy refers to the class or system as a whole.