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
As the mother to one GOP president and the wife of another, the late first lady was the matriarch of a Republican political dynasty.
—
Jade Walker, CNN Money, 9 May 2025
The matriarch and mother of some of the biggest superstars in the world received an outpouring of love for her birthday on social media.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 5 May 2025
Earlier this month, music industry matriarch Tina Knowles – mother of music superstars Beyonce Knowles Carter and Solange Knowles – released her life story.
—Amanda Miller Littlejohn, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Sadie Sink is a marvel in John Proctor Is The Villain, and LaTanya Richardson Jackson as the rigid matriarch of Purpose was an absolute scene-stealer.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for matriarch
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Jade Walker, CNN Money, 9 May 2025
The matriarch and mother of some of the biggest superstars in the world received an outpouring of love for her birthday on social media.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 5 May 2025
Earlier this month, music industry matriarch Tina Knowles – mother of music superstars Beyonce Knowles Carter and Solange Knowles – released her life story.
—Amanda Miller Littlejohn, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Sadie Sink is a marvel in John Proctor Is The Villain, and LaTanya Richardson Jackson as the rigid matriarch of Purpose was an absolute scene-stealer.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for matriarch
Cite this Entry
“Matriarch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/matriarch. Accessed 12 May. 2025.
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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