Word of the day · 26 May 2026
democracy
/dɪˈmɒkrəsi/
noun
A system of government in which power comes from the people, usually through voting, free contest for office and protected political rights.
In a sentence
- A healthy democracy needs trusted elections and lawful opposition.
- Classroom debates modeled democracy by letting every student vote.
- The charter defined democracy through equal citizenship and open parties.
In an image
Origin
From Greek dēmokratia: dēmos (the people) and kratos (power, rule).
History
Ancient Athens practiced a limited form of democracy among free male citizens. Modern democracies add constitutions, rights and representative institutions so large populations can govern through elections. The word is aspirational as well as descriptive: countries claim it while falling short. Searchers want the core idea before the slogans.
Nearby words
republic · suffrage · self-government
Rule that answers, at least in design, to the public’s vote.