PLUTOCRACY

plu·toc·ra·cy
noun \plü-ˈtä-krə-sē\
plural plu·toc·ra·cies

Definition of PLUTOCRACY:

1: government by the wealthy
2: a controlling class of the wealthy

— plu·to·crat -- noun
— plu·to·crat·ic -- adjective
— plu·to·crat·i·cal·ly -- adverb

Examples of PLUTOCRACY:

    If only the wealthy can afford to run for public office, are we more a plutocracy than a democracy?

    corporate greed and America's growing plutocracy

Origin of PLUTOCRACY:

Greek ploutokratia, from ploutos wealth; akin to Greek plein to sail, float — more at flow

First Known Use: 1652

*Meriam-Webster dictionary