Definition

A person who is part of a ruling group made up of older individuals, often holding power due to their age rather than their abilities.

Example

In the gerontocracy, decisions were often made by those who had been in power for decades.

Conversation

Have you heard about the new leader in the country?

Yeah, I heard he's quite the gerontocrat who refuses to step down.

It's surprising how some leaders cling to power just because of their age.

True, it makes you wonder about the future and new ideas.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Gerontocrat is formed from "geronto-" (from Greek "geron", meaning old man) and "-crat" (from Greek "kratos", meaning power or rule). The word describes a person who holds power or authority due to their age, specifically an elder or senior figure in governance.

Memory Tip

Think of 'geron' meaning 'old man' and 'kratos' meaning 'power' — a gerontocrat is someone who has power because they are older.

Visually Confused Words