Word of the Day: Kleptocracy

klep·toc·ra·cy

noun \klep-ˈtä-krə-sē\

plural klep·toc·ra·cies

Definition of KLEPTOCRACY

:  government by those who seek chiefly status and personal gain at the expense of the governed; 

also :  a particular government of this kind

— klep·to·crat  noun

— klep·to·crat·ic  adjective

First Known Use of KLEPTOCRACY

1819

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary copyright © 2014 by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated

klep·toc·ra·cy

[klep-tok-ruh-see]  

noun, plural klep·toc·ra·cies.

a government or state in which those in power exploit national resources and steal; 

rule by a thief or thieves.

Origin: 
 1815–20; klepto-  (combining form of Greek kléptēs  thief) + -cracy

Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2014. 

Example sentences
-Face facts, lots of people in this country are tired of the kleptocracy of both political parties.

-Examples include kleptocracy and self-enriching leaders.

-Besides, autocratic kleptocracy and oligarchic kleptocracy are both kleptocracies.