matriarch

play

noun ma·tri·arch \ ˈmā-trē-ˌärk \

Definition of matriarch

: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.

—

matriarchal

play \ˌmā-trē-ˈär-kəl\ adjective

See matriarch defined for English-language learners

See matriarch defined for kids

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 of matriarch from the Web

Barille family matriarch, Jacquie, conceived the idea and runs the shop.

— pam kragen, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Artisan doughnut shop opens in Carlsbad," 16 Aug. 2017
Gibbins bought it from matriarch Betty Mullins’ family in 2001, and has also operated a barbecue-steakhouse in Sansom Park.

— bud kennedy, star-telegram, "Three local restaurant comeback stories, starting with Youngblood’s fried chicken," 19 July 2017
And the younger generation may feel that the family patriarch and matriarch are set in their ways and turn a deaf ear to other input.

— joanne kaufman, New York Times, "Learning to Bridge a Generation Gap in Philanthropy," 14 July 2017
Nick's is run by the Delmonte Family, whose matriarch Anna Delmonte hails from Montaguto, Italy.

— jared boyd, AL.com, "Alabama's Best Steakhouses: Nick's Ristorante in Huntsville," 25 June 2017
It's been two summers since the death of Milo's matriarch Beatrice Carlton, but her granddaughter is keeping alive the family traditions.

— greg garrison, AL.com, "The woman behind Milo's Famous Tea: CEO keeps her grandparents' memory alive," 24 June 2017
The 69-year-old family matriarch was a familiar face on the TLC series about the family business, Carlo’s Bakery in Hoboken, N.J.

— lisa gutierrez, kansascity.com, "TV’s ‘Cake Boss’ Buddy Valastro mourns loss of mother to ALS," 23 June 2017
At Michael's insistence, Josie has always kept her distance from this creepy matriarch, whose hold over her son was simultaneously cold and smothering.

— peter debruge, chicagotribune.com, "'Paint It Black' review: Alia Shawkat sets off boyfriend's mom in Amber Tamblyn's debut," 22 June 2017
Amid the large cast, Katharine Goeldner stands out in the pivotal role of Ma Joad, the matriarch determined to keep the family together regardless of circumstance.

— john von rhein, chicagotribune.com, "Family uprooted and an innocent man condemned in St. Louis Opera Theatre season," 20 June 2017

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

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.

First Known Use of matriarch

1606

matriarch Synonyms

Synonyms

dame, dowager, grande dame, matron

Related Words

grandam (or grandame); headmistress, mistress; materfamilias; ma, mama (also mamma or momma), mammy, mom, mother

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

MATRIARCH Defined for English Language Learners

matriarch

play

noun

Definition of matriarch for English Language Learners

: a woman who controls a family, group, or government

MATRIARCH Defined for Kids

matriarch

play

noun ma·tri·arch \ ˈmā-trē-ˌärk \

Definition of matriarch for Students

:a woman who is the head of a family, group, or state

Word Root of matriarch

The Latin word mater, meaning “mother,” gives us the root mater or matr. Anyone or anything maternal, such as a grandparent, is related through the mother's side of the family. Maternity is the state of being a mother. A matriarch is a woman who is the mother and head of a family. A matron is a married woman who may be a mother.