matron

noun

ma·​tron ˈmā-trən 

1

a

: a married woman usually marked by dignified maturity or social distinction (see distinction sense 4a)

b

: a woman who supervises women or children (as in a school or police station)

c

: the chief officer in a women's organization

2

: a female animal kept for breeding

Synonyms of matron

• dowager

Examples of matron in a Sentence

society matrons who organize benefits for charity

the matron of a school for girls

Recent Examples on the Web

The matron on duty, Annie Leewright, booked the woman into jail. — Kevin Foster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2026

How did a young Upper East Side matron with a small daughter and a dormant career as an art historian get here? — Lisa Henricksson, Air Mail, 27 June 2026

The couple will spend the remainder of the early morning hours in a threesome with an elderly society matron, sucking on her earlobes. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2026

Since then, Hills has worked in various hospitals and wards, including spending 10 years as a ward sister and a matron, which are both senior roles for nurses. — Lexi Lane, PEOPLE, 27 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English matrone, from Anglo-French, from Latin matrona, from matr-, mater

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing matron

• matron of honor

Rhymes for matron

• patron

Kids Definition

matron

noun

ma·​tron ˈmā-trən 

1

: a usually mature and dignified married woman

2

: a woman in charge of the household affairs of an institution

3

: a woman who supervises women prisoners in a police station or jail

Medical Definition

matron

noun

ma·​tron ˈmā-trən 

British

: a woman superintendent of a medical institution (as a hospital)