democracy

noun democracies

1. uncountable Rule by the people, especially as a form of government, such as And the essential value and power of Democracy consists in this,—that it combines, as far as possible, power and organization ; THE SPIRIT, MANHOOD, is at one with THE BODY, ORGANIZATION. [....] Democracy is Government by the People.
2. countable, uncountable A form of government where the people elect representatives who propose and approve laws and administer the government on their behalf (representative democracy).
3. countable, uncountable A form of government where the people vote directly on laws and government decisions (direct democracy).
4. countable A government under the direct or representative rule of the people of its jurisdiction. Of course, the Russians think it is something else because they say the Russians have a democracy and it is plain that their government is not what the Americans regard as a democracy.
5. countable A state with a democratic system of government. Some countries which were originally monarchies, like the UK, have maintained their status as monarchies whilst also becoming democracies in the modern era; others, like France, completely disposed of their monarchies when they became democracies.
6. uncountable Belief in political freedom and equality; the "spirit of democracy". As states of the human spirit democracy, righteousness, and faith have much in common and may be cultivated by the same means...

Similar: democratism

proper noun the Democracy

1. US, obsolete The Democratic Party. I so adopt it because it furnishes a precise and an agreed starting point for a discussion between Republicans and that wing of the Democracy headed by Senator Douglas.