dictatorship

[dik-tey-ter-ship, dik-tey-] /dɪkˈteɪ tərˌʃɪp, ˈdɪk teɪ-/

noun

a country, government, or the form of government in which absolute power is exercised by a dictator.

absolute, imperious, or overbearing power or control.

the office or position held by a dictator.

Origin

1580-90; dictator + -ship

Examples from the web for dictatorship

However, if our right to free speech is trampled on then we will be living in a dictatorship.
It's more like a benevolent dictatorship.
It removed a thuggish dictatorship that killed thousands of people a year.
Sharply suppressing all dissent, he imposed a military dictatorship.
Thinkers of this type are really advocating global dictatorship of a design never defined.
It's a profoundly corrupt one-party dictatorship based on a bankrupt, morally discredited ideology.
Second its a dictatorship with a notable nuclear capacity and a very aggressive foreign policy.
It is one of the worst dictatorships on Earth today.
The less money this near dictatorship has the better for the West.
Whats really frightening though is the folks that want to turn this country into a dictatorship.

British Dictionary definitions for dictatorship

/dɪkˈteɪtəˌʃɪp/

noun

the rank, office, or period of rule of a dictator

government by a dictator or dictators

a country ruled by a dictator or dictators

absolute or supreme power or authority

Word Origin and History for dictatorship

1580s, from dictator + -ship.

dictatorship in Culture

Government by a single person or by a junta or other group that is not responsible to the people or their elected representatives.

Note: Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin were dictators.