How is monarchy defined in the context of government?

Monarchy is defined as a form of government in which a single individual, typically known as a monarch, holds supreme authority and embodies the state's governance. This individual, often a king or queen, may inherit their position and usually holds it for life. The monarch's power can be absolute or constitutional, depending on the specific type of monarchy in place.

In this context, the defining characteristic of a monarchy is the concentration of power in a single person, distinguishing it from other forms of governance where power is distributed or shared among a group of representatives or leaders. This singular focus on one leader is what sets monarchy apart from other government structures, such as democracies with elected representatives or oligarchies with multiple leaders.