The prince or ruler of a nation, who exercises all the powers of government without control, or who is vested with absolute sovereign power; an emperor, king or prince invested with an unlimited power. This is the strict sense of the word.

A king or prince, the supreme magistrate of a nation, whose powers are in some respects limited by the constitution of the government. Thus we call the king of Great Britain a monarch, although he can make no law without the consent of parliament.

He or that which is superior to others of the same kind; as, an oak is called the monarch of the forest; a lion the monarch of wild beasts.

One that presides; president; as Bacchus, monarch of the vine.

Supreme; ruling; as a monarch savage.