1. a person who rules or has power in a government dominated by elderly people
Usage: formal

Examples

• The aging senator was viewed as a gerontocrat clinging to outdated policies.
• Critics argued that the council of gerontocrats was out of touch with younger voters.
• As a gerontocrat, he believed experience trumped innovation in governance.
• The opposition party accused the ruling gerontocrats of blocking progressive reforms.
• Many young activists felt frustrated by the gerontocrat’s resistance to change.
• The gerontocrat defended his long tenure as necessary for political stability.