1. a form of government in which power is held by a small group of wealthy, elite or powerful people

寡头政体；寡头统治

This ancient city-state was ruled under an oligarchy of wealthy landowners.

这座古老城邦实行由富裕地主阶层掌权的寡头统治。

1.a small privileged group that controls a country, industry or organization

寡头集团；掌权精英小圈子

A financial oligarchy dominates the banking industry in the region.

一个金融寡头集团掌控着该地区的银行业。

oligo-(少量的，few) + archy (统治、政权)

词根拆解：oligo = few 少数；archy = rule 统治

字面含义：rule by the few 少数人的统治

Critics argue that concentrated corporate power has gradually evolved into an economic oligarchy.

评论人士指出，企业权力高度集中，已然慢慢演变成经济寡头格局。

economic oligarchy 经济寡头

business oligarchy 商业寡头集团

rule by oligarchy 寡头掌权

The local market is basically an oligarchy, just several big bosses calling all the shots.

本地市场基本就是寡头格局，就几家大佬说了算。

If only a handful of firms control the whole industry, it will easily turn into an oligarchy.

整个行业被少数几家公司把持，很容易形成寡头垄断。