also -ˌna-stē,
especially British ˈdi-nə-stē
1
: a succession of rulers of the same line of descent (see descent sense 1a) a dynasty that ruled China for nearly 300 years2
: a powerful group or family that maintains its position for a considerable time born into a powerful political dynasty Did you know?Dynasty Has Greek Roots
Dynasty has had quite the run in English. For over 600 years it’s been used to refer to a ruling family that maintains power generation after generation. At the time dynasty was first used in English, for example, England was in the midst of rule by the Plantagenet dynasty, whose line of succession provided 14 kings, from Henry II to Richard III. Around the beginning of the 19th century, the word developed the figurative sense “a group or family that dominates a particular field for generations.” Nowadays, this sense of dynasty is often applied to sports franchises that have prolonged runs of successful seasons, divine right not required. Technically, any team is capable of becoming this type of dynasty, including not only Kings and Royals, but also Ducks.
Did you know?Sports Dynasties
Dynasty has been in use in English for over 600 years, for most of that time referring to a ruling family that maintains power through succession. Around the beginning of the 19th century, the word developed the figurative sense “a group or family that dominates a particular field for generations.” Nowadays, this sense of dynasty is often applied to a sports franchise which has a prolonged run of successful seasons. The sports use appears to have begun in the early 20th century. An article in The Washington Post in 1905 refers to “John T. Brush’s baseball dynasty,” and by 1912 the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that “if players were free agents at the end of every two years, baseball dynasties such as those built up by the Cubs, Athletics, Detroits and Giants would not be possible.”
Examples of dynasty in a Sentencea dynasty that ruled China for nearly 300 years There was a civil war during the dynasty. She was born into a powerful political dynasty.
Recent Examples on the Web Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback. Every year, some 25 million people visit Hofburg, the Habsburg dynasty’s imperial palace in Vienna. —Elizabeth Djinis, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Apr. 2025 Shiwan ware dates back to the Tang and Qing dynasties and is highly regarded for its lifelike figurines. —Blue Carreon, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025 In dynasty, Harris is in the late-first-round conversation. —Daniel Popper, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025 An edge about him, just like an old outside linebacker from Ohio State once cut by the Steelers who arrived in New England and helped found a dynasty. —Andrew Callahan, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dynasty Word HistoryEtymology
Middle English dynastia, dynastie "power, sovereignty, succession of rulers," borrowed from Medieval Latin dynastīa, going back to Late Latin, "rule, power," borrowed from Greek dynasteía "arbitrarily exercised political power, lordship, rule," from dynástēs "holder of political power, lord, ruler" + -eia -y entry 2 — more at dynast
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of dynasty was in the 14th century Cite this Entry“Dynasty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dynasty. Accessed 10 May. 2025.
More from Merriam-Webster on dynasty Last Updated: 1 May 2025 - Updated example sentencesLove words? Need even more definitions?
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