What does "democracy" mean?

Democracy: Government by popular representation; a form of government in which the supreme power is retained by the people, but is indirectly exercised through a system of representation and delegated authority periodically renewed; a constitutional representative government; a republic.

Additional senses

  1. 2.Collectively, the people, regarded as the source of government. Milton.
  2. 3.The principles and policy of the Democratic party, so called. [U.S.]

Sources