1. A political system ruled by the people, either directly or through elected representatives
   "The country's transition to democracy was marked by its first free elections"
    
2. The doctrine that the numerical majority of an organized group can make decisions binding on the whole group
   "In a democracy, majority rule is often balanced with protections for minority rights";
   - majority rule
    
3. A state under the direct or representative rule of its people
   "The country transitioned from a monarchy to a democracy after years of struggle"

Derived forms: democracies

Type of: doctrine, ideology, ism, mythos, philosophical system, philosophy, political orientation, political theory, school of thought

Encyclopedia: Democracy, Ohio