Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

hereditary-ruler

noun

/həˈrɛdɪˌtɛri ˈruːlər/

Definition

A hereditary ruler is a leader or monarch who inherits their position through family lineage, typically passing through generations from parent to child.

Examples

The king of the kingdom was a hereditary ruler, having ascended to the throne after his father’s death.
Many cultures have a long tradition of hereditary rulers who govern based on familial ties.
In modern times, the role of a hereditary ruler may be largely ceremonial.