dynasty

From Middle French dynastie, from Late Latin dynastia, from Ancient Greek δυναστεία (dunasteía, “power, dominion”).

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈdɪnəsti/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈdaɪnəsti/

• Audio (US):

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dynasty (plural dynasties)

1. A series of rulers or dynasts from one family.

   Synonyms: house, succession

   Habsburg dynasty; Ottoman dynasty

   • 2023, Stewart Stafford, A Wager After Midnight:

     A dynasty is nothing but the successful orchestration of treachery.

2. A family considered over time, with its ancestors and descendants

   Synonyms: clan, house, lineage

   • 2016, Criss Jami, Healology:

     To the loyal and to the blood-lovers, in the good families and in the fiery dynasties, life is family and family is life. It is the same people who give advice and their vices to live well who turn out to be the ones who give resource and reason to live long.

3. (East Asian history) The polity or historical era under the rule of a certain dynasty.

   During the Ming dynasty, China was ruled by the Zhu family.

4. (sports) A team or organization which has an extended period of success or dominant performance.