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.

Synonyms

• dame
• dowager
• grande dame
• matron

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

Actress Shirley Jones celebrated her 90th birthday in March 2024 with her children and grandchildren by her side Shirley Jones is the matriarch of a large family both on-screen and off. —Julie Tremaine, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2024

Mary Nell holly is actually the matriarch of Oakland and several other cultivar hybrids. —Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Apr. 2024

Two orcas, the matriarchs among the group of about 30 whales, on April 2 circled a 20-foot-long minke whale, according to Colleen Talty, a research biologist with Monterey Bay Whale Watch. —Daniella Segura, Sacramento Bee, 3 Apr. 2024

She was shot and killed near her home Monday morning after returning from the trip to school, an act that has robbed a Milwaukee family of a matriarch who raised her eight kids by herself, helped raise nine grandchildren and cared for others, too. —Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2024

An empty train station becomes a refuge for the homeless in Italia’s caring hands, while wealthy Flora’s mansion falls in disrepair as her daughters sack its contents with the intention of putting their matriarch in a nursing home. —Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2024

British actress Rosamund Pike, nominated for her role as the bloodless matriarch in Saltburn, stepped out in Dior Fall 2019 couture. —Carol McColgin, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Mar. 2024

Now showing a perfect family who, following its matriarch’s disappearance, needs to face some uncomfortable questions. —Marta Balaga, Variety, 22 Mar. 2024

Sicilian matriarchs and influencers, old and new The Matriarchy itinerary includes both town and country destinations. —Catherine Sabino, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined above

Kids 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

matriarchal

ˌmā-trē-ˈär-kəl 

adjective