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
The Kelce family matriarch is mother to NFL stars Jason and Travis Kelce – and is slated to be Taylor Swift's future mother-in-law.
—
Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 12 Nov. 2025
The matriarch of the legendary football family and mother of Jason Kelce and younger brother Chiefs tight end, and Swift fiancé Travis Kelce, looks menacingly at the camera as her profile is reflected in a round mirror in the background.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 11 Nov. 2025
Weaver plays Grandma Helen, the matriarch of the family and mother of Gavin and Abbi’s deceased father, who was an obsessive hoarder.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2025
In 2020, Lawrence celebrated her 30th birthday and received a sweet message from Kris Jenner, the matriarch of the media personalities.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for matriarch
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Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 12 Nov. 2025
The matriarch of the legendary football family and mother of Jason Kelce and younger brother Chiefs tight end, and Swift fiancé Travis Kelce, looks menacingly at the camera as her profile is reflected in a round mirror in the background.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 11 Nov. 2025
Weaver plays Grandma Helen, the matriarch of the family and mother of Gavin and Abbi’s deceased father, who was an obsessive hoarder.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 11 Nov. 2025
In 2020, Lawrence celebrated her 30th birthday and received a sweet message from Kris Jenner, the matriarch of the media personalities.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for matriarch
Cite this Entry
“Matriarch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/matriarch. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
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
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