1. the landed gentry as a class, especially those who own large estates and have political influence
Usage: historical; British

Examples

• The squirarchy dominated rural politics in 18th-century England.
• Members of the squirarchy often served as justices of the peace.
• The novel depicts the decline of the traditional squirarchy.
• Local squirarchy controlled most of the county’s affairs.
• The squirarchy’s influence waned with industrialization.
• He came from an old family that was part of the county squirarchy.