Definition of anarchy noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary



BrE BrE//ˈænəki//
; NAmE NAmE//ˈænərki//
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a situation in a country, an organization, etc. in which there is no government, order or control The overthrow of the military regime was followed by a period of anarchy. There was complete anarchy in the classroom when their usual teacher was away. Word Origin mid 16th cent.: via medieval Latin from Greek anarkhia, from anarkhos, from an- ‘without’ + arkhos ‘chief, ruler’.Extra examples If prices rise the country could slide into anarchy. The defeat of the government would lead to anarchy. The high number of strikes resulted in near anarchy. The parties joined forces to save the country from anarchy. The strikes brought the city to the brink of anarchy. Our nation is descending into anarchy. The country plunged into virtual anarchy and economic collapse.
See the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary entry: anarchy