1. In ancient Sparta, any of five elected magistrates who held executive and judicial power and served as a check on the kings.
Usage: plural of ephor; historical; often capitalized when referring to the specific Spartan officials

Examples

• The ephors of Sparta wielded considerable authority over the state's military and legal affairs.
• Ancient Greek historians documented how the ephors could impeach or even execute a Spartan king.
• The five ephors were elected annually and served as a counterbalance to royal power.
• Unlike the kings, the ephors were accountable to the Spartan assembly.
• The ephors enforced strict discipline and moral codes throughout Spartan society.