matriarch

noun

ma·​tri·​arch ˈmā-trē-ˌärk How to pronounce matriarch (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These are our matriarchs – the most prominent women in the Book of Genesis. Mark Gerson, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2025 All bridesmaids, perhaps? Kris Jenner The matriarch and manager of the Kardashian family (which includes Kim Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, and Kylie Jenner). Vogue, 16 May 2025 The thorny issue was re-litigated at a fascinating reunion, where Lyons finally spoke up and asserted herself as the voice of reason — and the matriarch — of the group. Louis Staples, Rolling Stone, 13 May 2025 On the Gemstones mourning the loss of the matriarch A lot of people don't have experience with running a mega church or can identify with that. Tonya Mosley, NPR, 12 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for matriarch

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of matriarch was in 1606

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Cite this Entry

“Matriarch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/matriarch. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

matriarch

noun
ma·​tri·​arch ˈmā-trē-ˌärk How to pronounce matriarch (audio)
: a woman who rules a family, group, or state
especially : a mother who is head of her family and descendants
matriarchal adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on matriarch

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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