materfamilias

noun

ma·​ter·​fa·​mil·​i·​as ˌmā-tər-fə-ˈmi-lē-əs How to pronounce materfamilias (audio)
ˌmä-
: a woman who is head of a household

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The novel recounts the history and hardships of the Binewski clan, carnival folk whose pater- and materfamilias, Al and Crystal Lil, create their own freak show. Elizabeth Hand, Washington Post, 11 Nov. 2022 But with tact and humanity, this materfamilias has still calmed the waters. Boyd Van Hoeij, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Oct. 2019 Though the Roundabout production, which opened on Tuesday evening, stars Elizabeth McGovern as the materfamilias, the story really is Kay’s. Jesse Green, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'materfamilias.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from mater + familias, archaic genitive of familia household — more at family

First Known Use

1756, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of materfamilias was in 1756

Dictionary Entries Near materfamilias

Cite this Entry

“Materfamilias.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/materfamilias. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.

More from Merriam-Webster on materfamilias

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


What Did You Just Call Me?

  • brown chihuahua sitting on the floor with squinting eyes looking at the camera
  • Before we went to her house, Hannah told us her aunt was a flibbertigibbet.
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY