weimar republic: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Academic / Historical
Quick answer
What does “weimar republic” mean?
The democratic government of Germany from 1919 to 1933, established after World War I and preceding the Nazi regime.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The democratic government of Germany from 1919 to 1933, established after World War I and preceding the Nazi regime.
Often used as a historical reference point for periods of fragile democracy, economic instability, political polarization, and the collapse of democratic institutions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage; the term is identical in both historical lexicons.
Connotations
Identical connotations of political instability, cultural flourishing (Weimar culture), and democratic fragility.
Frequency
Used with equal frequency in academic and historical contexts in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “weimar republic” in a Sentence
[The] Weimar Republic + verb (collapsed, fell, lasted, was established)during/in + the Weimar RepublicVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “weimar republic” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Weimar-era art
- Weimar-period politics
American English
- Weimar-era culture
- Weimar-period constitution
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically to describe a period of extreme economic instability or hyperinflation (e.g., 'The company faced a Weimar Republic scenario').
Academic
Standard term in historical, political science, and economic studies of interwar Europe.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; appears in discussions of history or political analogies.
Technical
Precise historical designation for the period and constitutional system of Germany from 1919 to 1933.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “weimar republic”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “weimar republic”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “weimar republic”
- Misspelling as 'Wiemar' or 'Weimer'. Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a weimar republic'). Incorrectly dating its existence (e.g., starting in 1918).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is named after the city of Weimar, where its constitutional assembly first met, not Berlin, to distance the new democracy from the imperial Prussian past.
Key factors included the Treaty of Versailles' burdens, devastating hyperinflation (1923), the Great Depression, a fragmented multi-party system, and the use of emergency presidential powers that undermined parliamentary rule.
Yes, political commentators sometimes refer to 'Weimar conditions' when describing periods of severe polarization, economic distress, and the rise of extremist movements within a democracy.
Yes, it is renowned for its pioneering social welfare legislation, advances in women's rights, and a remarkable cultural flourishing in art, architecture, literature, and science, known as 'Weimar Culture'.
The democratic government of Germany from 1919 to 1933, established after World War I and preceding the Nazi regime.
Weimar republic is usually academic / historical in register.
Weimar republic: in British English it is pronounced /ˈvaɪmɑː rɪˈpʌblɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈvaɪmɑːr rɪˈpʌblɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A Weimar moment”
- “Weimar conditions”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
WEImar REPublic: Where Everything Is Mired And Ruinous Economically, Politically.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE WEIMAR REPUBLIC IS A CAUTIONARY TALE (for democratic fragility).
Practice
Quiz
What is the Weimar Republic primarily associated with?