Republic
/rɪˈpʌblɪk/
Definitions
2 meaningsA state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president rather than a monarch.
/rɪˈpʌblɪk/
A state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives.
France is a republic, where citizens elect the President.
💡 Simply: Imagine a country where the people choose their leaders. Instead of a king or queen, they have people they vote for to make decisions. That's a republic!
👶 For kids: A republic is like a group of kids who pick their own leaders to make rules and decisions.
More Examples
The citizens voted to establish a republic.
The success of a republic depends on an educated and engaged citizenry.
How It's Used
"The United States is a republic with a federal system of government."
"The Roman Republic lasted for centuries before being replaced by an empire."
A form of government in which power resides in elected individuals representing the citizens.
/rɪˈpʌblɪk/
A government having a head of state who is not a monarch.
The United States is a democratic republic.
💡 Simply: It's like a team where everyone gets a say in who leads. No single person is in charge, and the leaders are elected by the people.
👶 For kids: When the people get to choose who's in charge, it's a republic.
More Examples
After the revolution, they established a republic.
The republic values individual liberty and equality.
How It's Used
"Modern republics often have a constitution that protects citizens' rights."
"Many newly formed nations have adopted the system of a republic."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
Roman Republic
A period of ancient Roman civilization characterized by a republican government.
"The Roman Republic flourished for several centuries."
The French Republic
Referring to the current form of government in France.
"The French Republic has a strong tradition of secularism."
From Latin *res publica* meaning 'public affair' or 'commonwealth'. It evolved to describe a state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president rather than a monarch.
The term 'republic' has its roots in ancient Rome, where it described a state without a monarch. It was later adopted and adapted during the Enlightenment and used extensively in political theory and practice.
Memory tip
Remember *res publica* (public affair) to link to the idea of the people's power.