/
dɪˈmɒkrəsi/
n.
(pl. democracies)
a form of government in which the people have a voice in the exercise of power, typically through elected representatives.
▸a state governed in such a way.
▸control of a group by the majority of its members.
Etymology
C16: from Fr. démocratie, via late L. from Gk dēmokratia, from dēmos ‘the people’ + -kratia ‘power, rule’.