Noun: monarch (monarchs) 'món,aa(r)k or mó-nu(r)k [N. Amer], mó-nu(r)k [Brit]
- A nation's ruler or head of state usually by hereditary right
"The monarch attended the international summit, representing her country's interests";
- sovereign, crowned head
- Large migratory American butterfly having deep orange wings with black and white markings; the larvae feed on milkweed
"Monarch butterflies covered the trees in their Mexican wintering grounds";
- monarch butterfly, milkweed butterfly, Danaus plexippus
Derived forms: monarchs
Type of: chief of state, danaid, danaid butterfly, head of state, ruler
Part of: Danaus, genus Danaus
Encyclopedia: Monarch, Montana