dynasty

Everyday

1. A dynasty is a line of rulers from the same family, where power passes from parent to child over many years, like the Tudors in England or the Ming in China. tree →
2. The time when one family rules is also called a dynasty. tree →
3. (figurative) A family or team that stays powerful or successful for a long time is called a dynasty: «a football dynasty». tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons dynasties are used to divide long histories into periods: ancient Egyptian dynasties of pharaohs, Chinese dynasties (Shang, Han, Tang, Song, Ming, Qing), English royal houses (Tudors, Stuarts, Windsors). In sport and business news, «dynasty» means a family or club winning for many seasons.

Examples

• The Ming dynasty ruled China for nearly three hundred years. tree →
• Ancient Egypt had many dynasties of pharaohs. tree →
• The Tudor dynasty included Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. tree →
• The Great Wall was rebuilt by several Chinese dynasties. tree →
• The emperor wanted his son to carry on the dynasty. tree →
• That team built a dynasty, winning the cup again and again. tree →
• A family of famous actors can be called an acting dynasty. tree →

Note

Plural «dynasties» (y changes to ies). Adjective «dynastic». Say «DIN-uh-stee» (UK) or «DY-nuh-stee» (US). A dynasty is a family line, not one ruler; a single ruler has a reign.