matriarchal

adjective

ma·​tri·​ar·​chal ˌmā-trē-ˈär-kəl 

: of, relating to, or being a matriarch or matriarchy

a matriarchal society

Johnnie Angelia King … plays a very different matriarchal figure here, imbuing hard-working Faye with passion …

—Larry T. Collins

As a Filipino-American, Lirio Marcelo was steeped in a matriarchal culture where there was no shortage of female role models in corporate and government realms.

—Lydia Dishman

Examples of matriarchal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There is a strong matriarchal figure whose presence dictates the course of action. —Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 9 May 2026

This matriarchal practice defines Tunisia’s food culture. —Boutheina Ben Salem, Vogue, 8 May 2026

This campy, reality-shifting comedy series questions what would happen if a flaming misogynist woke up in a world that was completely matriarchal and subjugated men based on their gender. —Madeleine Janz, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026

In exploring the blues, Marks is less interested in 21st-century iterations of the tradition than in delving into the music’s matriarchal roots. —Andrew Gilbert, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1780, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for matriarchal

• patriarchal
• sparkle