matriarch
noun
ma·tri·arch
ˈmā-trē-ˌärk 
: a woman who rules or dominates a family, group, or state
specifically
: a mother who is head and ruler of her family and descendants
Our grandmother was the family's matriarch.
Did you know?
A matriarchy is a social unit governed by a woman or group of women. It isn't certain that a true matriarchal society has ever existed, so matriarchy is usually treated as an imaginative concept. But there are societies in which relatedness through women rather than men is stressed, and elements of matriarchy may be stronger in certain societies than they are in most of the Western world. And most of us can point to families in which a woman has become the dominant figure, or grande dame, or matriarch.
Examples of matriarch in a Sentence
Our grandmother was the family's matriarch.
The tribe's matriarch ruled for 20 years before her death.
Recent Examples on the Web
The sitcom spinoff focused on the continuing adventures of the Conner clan after the death of the family's matriarch, Roseanne (Roseanne Barr).
—
Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 21 May 2026
Below, the Kelce matriarch tells AD about what life is like at home during her downtime.
—Michael Gioia, Architectural Digest, 18 May 2026
Meanwhile, gracious but iron-willed family matriarch Claudine works tirelessly behind the scenes to hush up family scandals.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2026
Opposite Holbrook is Palestinian actress Hiam Abbass, playing the matriarch of the Khachaturian family, with whom Lou has the climactic meeting.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for matriarch
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Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 21 May 2026
Below, the Kelce matriarch tells AD about what life is like at home during her downtime.
—Michael Gioia, Architectural Digest, 18 May 2026
Meanwhile, gracious but iron-willed family matriarch Claudine works tirelessly behind the scenes to hush up family scandals.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2026
Opposite Holbrook is Palestinian actress Hiam Abbass, playing the matriarch of the Khachaturian family, with whom Lou has the climactic meeting.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for matriarch
Cite this Entry
“Matriarch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/matriarch. Accessed 28 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
matriarch
noun
ma·tri·arch
ˈmā-trē-ˌärk
: a woman who rules a family, group, or state
especially
: a mother who is head of her family and descendants
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