matriarch

ma·tri·arch

noun \ˈmā-trē-ˌärk\

Definition of MATRIARCH

: a woman who rules or dominates a family, group, or state; specifically : a mother who is head and ruler of her family and descendants

— ma·tri·ar·chal \ˌmā-trē-ˈär-kəl\ adjective

Examples of MATRIARCH

1. Our grandmother was the family's matriarch.
2. The tribe's matriarch ruled for 20 years before her death.

First Known Use of MATRIARCH

1606

Related to MATRIARCH

Synonyms: dame, dowager, grande dame, matron

Related Words: grandam (or grandame); headmistress, mistress; materfamilias; ma, mama (also mamma or momma), mammy, mom, mother

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Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism