Definition of dictator
1a : a person granted absolute emergency power; especially, history : one appointed by the senate (see senate 1a) of ancient Romeb : one holding complete autocratic control : a person with unlimited governmental powerc : one ruling in an absolute (see absolute 2) and often oppressive way fascist dictators
2 : one who says or reads something for a person to transcribe or for a machine to record : one that dictates (see 1dictate 1)
Examples of dictator in a sentence
The country was ruled by a military dictator.
<the dictator had a fierce stranglehold on the country, keeping its people in poverty and ignorance>
Origin and Etymology of dictator
Latin, from dictare —see 1dictate
First Known Use: before 12th century
Other Government and Politics Terms
DICTATOR Defined for English Language Learners
dictator
playDefinition of dictator for English Language Learners
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: a person who rules a country with total authority and often in a cruel or brutal way
DICTATOR Defined for Kids
dictator
playDefinition of dictator for Students
: a person who rules with total power and often in a cruel manner
dictatorship
\dik-ˈtā-tər-ˌship\ nounLearn More about dictator
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See words that rhyme with dictator Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for dictator Spanish Central: Translation of dictator Nglish: Translation of dictator for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of dictator for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dictator
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