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
Her community fastly feels the sharp absence of her graceful, essential labor and employs matriarch Ana (María Magdalena Sanizo) to coax her back home.
—
Holly Jones, Variety, 13 Aug. 2025
Hunt, who played the Baker matriarch, was a particular influence on Stoner.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2025
The royal family's late matriarch Queen Elizabeth was also a great horsewoman, and Zara previously told PEOPLE her happiest family memories around horses involve that bond.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 11 Aug. 2025
And Addams matriarch Morticia (Catherine Zeta-Jones) has been recruited to raise funds for the academy—meaning, of course, that Morticia’s adoring husband, Gomez (Luis Guzmán), won’t be far away.
—Judy Berman, Time, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for matriarch
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Holly Jones, Variety, 13 Aug. 2025
Hunt, who played the Baker matriarch, was a particular influence on Stoner.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2025
The royal family's late matriarch Queen Elizabeth was also a great horsewoman, and Zara previously told PEOPLE her happiest family memories around horses involve that bond.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 11 Aug. 2025
And Addams matriarch Morticia (Catherine Zeta-Jones) has been recruited to raise funds for the academy—meaning, of course, that Morticia’s adoring husband, Gomez (Luis Guzmán), won’t be far away.
—Judy Berman, Time, 6 Aug. 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 20 Aug. 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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