1. plural of ephorate; the office, position, or term of an ephor (a magistrate in ancient Sparta or other Greek city-states)
Usage: historical; usually plural
2. plural of ephorate; the body or board of ephors collectively
Usage: historical; usually plural

Examples

• The ephorates of ancient Sparta wielded considerable power over the kings and the state.
• During the classical period, the ephorates served as a check on royal authority in Greek city-states.
• Historians study the ephorates to understand how Spartan governance functioned.
• The five ephorates in Sparta were elected annually by the assembly.
• The ephorates held judicial and executive powers in their respective jurisdictions.