Definition of "theocracy" in English

noun

1. Government under the control of a state religion.

   • Near-synonym: clericocracy
   • Tibet was a Buddhist theocracy ruled by the Dalai Lama prior to Chinese annexation.
   • The Vatican City State is a sovereign city-state and a Christian theocracy ruled by the Pope.

2. Rule by a god.

   • For quotations using this term, see Citations:theocracy.