What does "republic" mean?
A state where sovereignty rests with the people or their representatives, rather than with a monarch or emperor; a country with no monarchy.
Republic
/ɹɪˈpʌb.lɪk/ name, noun
name, noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A state where sovereignty rests with the people or their representatives, rather than with a monarch or emperor; a country with no monarchy.
- Grammar: republic is listed as name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: democracy, absolute monarchy, ally, ancient republic.
- Useful contrasts: german autokratie, imperial system, medieval kingdom.
- Usage evidence: A republic is a nation whose head is not a king or queen, but a president.
How to use "republic"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "republic" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "republic" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "republic" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "republic" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "republic" is acting as name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "democracy" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "republic", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A state where sovereignty rests with the people or their representatives, rather than with a monarch or emperor; a country with no monarchy.
"The United States is a republic; Norway is a constitutional monarchy."
- 2 a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them wordnet
- 3 A state, which may or may not be a monarchy, in which the executive and legislative branches of government are separate. archaic
"Republicanism is the political principle of the separation of the executive power (the administration) from the legislative; despotism is that of the autonomous execution by the state of laws which it has itself decreed.[…]Therefore, we can say: the smaller the personnel of the government (the smaller the number of rulers), the greater is their representation and the more nearly the constitution approaches to the possibility of republicanism; thus the constitution may be expected by gradual reform finally to raise itself to republicanism[…]. None of the ancient so-called "republics" knew this system, and they all finally and inevitably degenerated into despotism under the sovereignty of one, which is the most bearable of all forms of despotism."
- 4 a form of government whose head of state is not a monarch wordnet
- 5 One of the subdivisions constituting Russia. See oblast.
"The Republic of Udmurtia is west of the Permian Oblast."
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- 6 One of the subdivisions that made up the former Yugoslavia.
Proper Noun
- 1 A small city in Republic County, Kansas, United States.
- 2 An unincorporated community and census-designated place in Marquette County, Michigan, United States.
- 3 A city in Christian County and Greene County, Missouri, United States.
- 4 A village in Seneca County, Ohio, United States.
- 5 An unincorporated community and census-designated place in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States.
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- 6 A small city, the county seat of Ferry County, Washington, United States.
- 7 An unincorporated community in Kanawha County, West Virginia, United States.
- 8 The Roman Republic.
"The general adoption of the system for all free men came towards the end of the Republic."
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
german autokratieimperial systemmedieval kingdommodern court
Example
"A republic is a nation whose head is not a king or queen, but a president."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "republic"?
Common synonyms include: democracy, absolute monarchy, ally, ancient republic, archduchy, archdukedom.
How do you use "republic" in a sentence?
A republic is a nation whose head is not a king or queen, but a president.
How do you pronounce "republic"?
Pronounced /ɹɪˈpʌb.lɪk/.
Etymology
From Middle French republique (“republic”), from Latin rēspūblicā, from rēs (“thing”) + pūblica (“public”); hence literally “the public thing”.