gerontocracy

ger·on·toc·ra·cy

noun \ˌjer-ən-ˈtä-krə-sē\

plural ger·on·toc·ra·cies

Definition of GERONTOCRACY

: rule by elders; specifically : a form of social organization in which a group of old men or a council of elders dominates or exercises control

— ge·ron·to·crat \jə-ˈrän-tə-ˌkrat\ noun

— ge·ron·to·crat·ic \-ˌrän-tə-ˈkra-tik\ adjective

Origin of GERONTOCRACY

French gérontocratie, from géronto- geront- + -cratie -cracy

First Known Use: 1830

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism