B2nounformalhistorysociety
US/ˌer.əˈstɑː.krə.si/
UK/ˌær.ɪˈstɒk.rə.si/
the people of the highest social class in some countries, who usually have titles and inherited land
In context
In the nineteenth century, the aristocracy still owned most of the land in Britain.
The revolution destroyed the power of the old French aristocracy.
Members of the aristocracy were expected to marry within their own class.
Words that go with aristocracy
adjective + noun
- landed aristocracyThe landed aristocracy lost much of its wealth after the war.
- old aristocracyRich factory owners slowly replaced the old aristocracy.
- hereditary aristocracyThe new republic abolished the hereditary aristocracy.
- European aristocracyFrench was once the language of the European aristocracy.
noun + preposition
- member of the aristocracyAs a member of the aristocracy, he had a seat in the House of Lords.