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
Jo Ann Weiss Sawitz Bass, the matriarch of the landmark Joe’s Stone Crab, died Saturday in hospice at her Miami Beach home across the street from her family’s restaurant.
—
Howard Cohen, Sun Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2026
Most recently, O’Hara is best known for portraying over-the-top actress and matriarch Moira Rose in the hit sitcom Schitt’s Creek opposite Eugene Levy, who played her husband, Johnny Rose, and her on-screen kids Dan Levy (David Rose) and Annie Murphy (Alexis Rose).
—Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
Set in Washington Territory, circa 1854, The Abandons revolves around the matriarchs of two very different families, played by Headey and Anderson.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 31 Jan. 2026
O'Hara, who died on January 30 at the age of 71, played eccentric, loveable matriarch Moira Rose.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for matriarch
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.
Howard Cohen, Sun Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2026
Most recently, O’Hara is best known for portraying over-the-top actress and matriarch Moira Rose in the hit sitcom Schitt’s Creek opposite Eugene Levy, who played her husband, Johnny Rose, and her on-screen kids Dan Levy (David Rose) and Annie Murphy (Alexis Rose).
—Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
Set in Washington Territory, circa 1854, The Abandons revolves around the matriarchs of two very different families, played by Headey and Anderson.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 31 Jan. 2026
O'Hara, who died on January 30 at the age of 71, played eccentric, loveable matriarch Moira Rose.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for matriarch
Cite this Entry
“Matriarch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/matriarch. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
