Definition of: republic

(ri·pub′lik) noun
1. A state in which the sovereignty resides in the people or a certain portion of the people, and the legislative and administrative powers are lodged in officers elected by and representing the people; a representative democracy: applied to almost every form of government except kingdoms, empires, and dictatorships.
2. A community of persons working freely in or devoted to the same cause; the republic of letters.
—The Republic
1. The United States.
2. Plato's dialog on government. [<F république <L respublica commonwealth <res thing + publica, fem. of publicus public]