1. the landed gentry as a class; government or dominance by country squires
Usage: historical; British

Examples

• The squirearchy dominated rural politics in 18th-century England.
• Local affairs were controlled by the traditional squirearchy.
• The rise of industrialization challenged the power of the squirearchy.
• Members of the squirearchy owned vast estates in the countryside.
• The squirearchy represented the interests of rural landowners.
• Political reform gradually weakened the influence of the squirearchy.