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DictionaryjuntaRuling council
noun

junta

HOON-tuh/ˈhʊntə/

A group that governs a country, often after taking power by force.

The junta's officers take their places at the government table.

Fictional military council of several officers takes seats at government cabinet table, no real insignia.
Etymology
juntaLatinto join together

The idea of “joining together” produced the sense of a council or meeting. That collective governing sense developed into a political or military group holding power.

In context

Behind the News2:31
in 1962, the military staged a coup scrapped Burma's constitution and created a military junta. What followed was a one party state
Myanmar Coup Explained: Protests, Military, Min Aung Hlaing & Aung San Suu Kyi

More examples

  • The country remains under the junta's rule for years.
  • Leaders of the junta announce new restrictions.
  • Protesters demand that the junta return power to civilians.

Forms

junta · juntas

Similar words

regime
Any governing system or administration, not necessarily a small ruling group.
council
A council is any governing or advisory group; junta often implies a small group ruling after a seizure of power.