matrilineal
adjective
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A person's lineage is his or her line of ancestors. So matrilineal means basically "through the mother's line", just as patrilineal means "through the father's line". Matrilineality is an important concept in anthropology; among other things, it usually determines who will inherit property on a person's death. Though families that follow the European model take the father's name and are therefore patrilineal, matrilineal societies have existed around the world, including among various American Indian tribes.
Examples of matrilineal in a Sentence
Scott Laird, Forbes.com, 23 Feb. 2026
According to Nana Bonsu, The Last Guardian of Ashanti, traces the constitutional and spiritual origins of the matrilineal line established by King Osei Tutu and his consort, Oheneyere Tutuwaa.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
The matrilineal passage of power—made known by crying tears of blood—has been smothered and controlled by men, but thanks to their new abilities, the twins escape their mother and her malicious husband.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
Found in cities and jungles throughout Asia, macaques form intricate matrilineal societies and display a keen sense of fairness.
—Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for matrilineal
Cite this Entry
“Matrilineal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/matrilineal. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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matrilineal
adjective
ˌmā-
