patriarch

noun pa·tri·arch \ ˈpā-trē-ˌärk \

|Updated on: 18 Jun 2018

Examples: patriarch in a Sentence

Definition of patriarch

1 a : one of the scriptural fathers of the human race or of the Hebrew people

Abraham was a patriarch of the Israelites.

b : a man who is father or founder

The newspaper patriarch celebrated his 90th birthday.

c (1) : the oldest member or representative of a group

the cypress … is the patriarch of native trees, going back to the time of the dinosaur
—Amer. Guide Series: Texas

(2) : a venerable old man

a whiskered patriarch, spry for his age
—Frank Sullivan

d : a man who is head of a patriarchy

2 a : any of the bishops of the ancient or Eastern Orthodox sees of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem or the ancient and Western see of Rome with authority over other bishops

b : the head of any of various Eastern churches

c : a Roman Catholic bishop next in rank to the pope with purely titular or with metropolitan (see ²metropolitan 1) jurisdiction

3 : a Mormon of the Melchizedek priesthood empowered to perform the ordinances of the church and pronounce blessings within a stake or prescribed jurisdiction

See patriarch defined for English-language learners

See patriarch defined for kids

Examples of patriarch in a Sentence

Our grandfather was the family's patriarch.
The tribe's patriarch ruled for 20 years before his death.

Recent Examples of patriarch from the Web

In the clip, patriarch Todd Chrisley reflects on his favorite moments since the series premiered in 2014 alongside wife Julie and kids Savannah, Chase and Grayson.

— aurelie corinthios, PEOPLE.com, "Todd Chrisley Recalls Getting His Mother Arrested as Chrisley Knows Best Celebrates 100 Episodes," 12 June 2018
Since its founding by patriarch C.M. Jones, the Jones family has served its community with superior customer service.

— The Aegis, "Jones Junction will be premier sponsor for Bel Air's July 4 celebration," 6 June 2018
The theme of a mean old patriarch forcing his children to compete for his fortune is nothing new.

— refinery29.com, "Succession Is Inspired By These Real — And Dramatic — Media Moguls," 1 June 2018
Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla, along with Prince William and Prince Harry, attended the funeral of patriarch Hugh Sr. back in 2013.

— megan friedman, Town & Country, "Who Is Meghan Markle's Bridesmaid, Florence van Cutsem?," 16 May 2018
Wolfgang Porsche, patriarch of the family clan that controls a majority of Volkswagen’s voting stock, also remained silent.

— william boston, WSJ, "U.S. Indictment of Former VW Chief Makes Hardly a Ripple in Germany," 4 May 2018
Like its British inspiration, the show was about the generation gap between a reactionary patriarch and his more liberal offspring.

— sascha cohen, Smithsonian, "How Archie Bunker Forever Changed in the American Sitcom," 21 Mar. 2018
Sean Bean, who played the Stark family patriarch/OG King of the North, was billed as the series' star and was the heart and soul of the show.

— kayleigh roberts, Marie Claire, "Sean Bean Explains Why Ned Stark Is Still Important Long After His 'Game of Thrones' Death," 18 Mar. 2018
The age difference is a constant source of irritation for patriarch Erik, an old-school Catholic stalwart.

— david lyman, Cincinnati.com, "Review: Ensemble's 'Humans' is a remarkable night of theater," 25 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'patriarch.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of patriarch

Middle English patriarche, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin patriarcha, from Greek patriarchēs, from patria lineage (from patr-, patēr father) + -archēs -arch — more at father

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

Other Anthropology Terms

ectomorph, ethnography, prehistory, yurt

PATRIARCH Defined for Kids

patriarch

noun pa·tri·arch \ ˈpā-trē-ˌärk \

Definition of patriarch for Students

1 : a man who heads a family, group, or government

2 : a respected old man

Word Root of patriarch

The Latin word pater, meaning “father,” and the Greek word patēr give us the root pater or patr. Anyone or anything paternal, such as an aunt or uncle, is related to one's father. A patriarch is a father and ruler of a family or tribe. A patriot is a person who loves his or her fatherland or country. A patron is a person who gives support and approval for a project or artist, as fathers support and approve of their children.