• Today's Word

Plutocracy

🔊 Listen to the word Plutocracy

ploo-TAH-kruh-see

Definition

(noun) A society or system governed by the wealthy.

Example

Critics argued that the nation was drifting toward a plutocracy, where influence belonged only to those with deep pockets.

Word Origin

From Greek ploutos (“wealth”) and kratos (“power” or “rule”).

Fun Fact

Plutocracy combines two of the most ancient human fascinations—money and control. The term dates back to ancient Greece, where philosophers like Plato warned of societies ruled by wealth instead of wisdom. Today, it’s often used in political debate, describing the uneasy overlap between economic privilege and political power. Whether in the form of tycoons, monarchs, or modern billionaires, plutocracy is less about who governs—and more about who can afford to.