A coup d'état (/ ˌ k uː d eɪ ˈ t ɑː / (); French for 'stroke of state'), often shortened to coup in English (also known as an overthrow), is a seizure and removal of a government and its powers. Typically, it is an illegal seizure of power by a political faction, rebel group, military, or a dictator. Many scholars consider a coup successful when the usurpers seize and hold power for at ...