dictator

UK: /dɪkˈteɪtə^r/

US: /ˈdɪkteɪtɚ, dɪkˈteɪtɚ/

US: (dik′tā tər, dik tā′tər)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

dic•ta•tor /ˈdɪkteɪtɚ, dɪkˈteɪtɚ/   n. [countable]

1. Government a ruler who has absolute power without the consent of the people.
2. a person who commands with forcefulness:
   The secretary had become the dictator of the office.
3. a person who dictates, as to a secretary or a machine.

See -dict-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

dic•ta•tor  (dik′tā tər, dik tā′tər), n. 

1. Government a person exercising absolute power, esp. a ruler who has absolute, unrestricted control in a government without hereditary succession.
2. Ancient History (in ancient Rome) a person invested with supreme authority during a crisis, the regular magistracy being subordinated to him until the crisis was met.
3. a person who authoritatively prescribes conduct, usage, etc.:
   a dictator of fashion.
4. a person who dictates, as to a secretary.

• Latin dictātor, equivalent. to dictā(re) (see dictate) + -tor -tor
• Middle English 1350–1400

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

dictator / dɪkˈteɪtə/ noun

1. a ruler who is not effectively restricted by a constitution, laws, recognized opposition, etc
2. an absolute, esp tyrannical, ruler
3. (in ancient Rome) a person appointed during a crisis to exercise supreme authority
4. a person who makes pronouncements, as on conduct, fashion, etc, which are regarded as authoritative
5. a person who behaves in an authoritarian or tyrannical manner