matron

noun

ma·​tron ˈmā-trən 

1

a

: a married woman usually marked by dignified maturity or social distinction (see distinction sense 4a)

b

: a woman who supervises women or children (as in a school or police station)

c

: the chief officer in a women's organization

2

: a female animal kept for breeding

Synonyms

• dame
• dowager
• grande dame
• matriarch

Examples of matron in a Sentence

society matrons who organize benefits for charity

the matron of a school for girls

Recent Examples on the Web

But this season, showrunner Mike White pinpoints the willful decadence of the Western world, primarily through Yankees: the husband, wife, and 2.5 children of the Ratliff family, three freewheeling feminist matrons, plus a shady white bachelor and a single black mother. —Armond White, National Review, 9 Apr. 2025

Unexpectedly, a character who seemed to be a stock figure — the dowdy matron, clucking over the girls in her charge — emerges as someone much richer and better, raising the show along with her. —Jesse Green, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2025

Prior to Wells’ appointment in 1910, national women’s groups had convinced officials in multiple cities, including Jersey City, Chicago and Boston, to employ female police matrons at jails, psychiatric hospitals and other public law enforcement institutions. —Peter Zablocki, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Mar. 2025

Nonetheless, the position of policewoman was such a resounding public relations success that Los Angeles soon expanded its roster to three female police officers and three police matrons. —Peter Zablocki, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English matrone, from Anglo-French, from Latin matrona, from matr-, mater

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing matron

• matron of honor

Rhymes for matron

• patron

Kids Definition

matron

noun

ma·​tron ˈmā-trən 

1

: a usually mature and dignified married woman

2

: a woman in charge of the household affairs of an institution

3

: a woman who supervises women prisoners in a police station or jail

Medical Definition

matron

noun

ma·​tron ˈmā-trən 

British

: a woman superintendent of a medical institution (as a hospital)