patriarchy

noun

pa·​tri·​ar·​chy ˈpā-trē-ˌär-kē 

plural patriarchies

1

: social organization marked by the supremacy of the father in the clan or family, the legal dependence of wives and children, and the reckoning of descent and inheritance in the male line

broadly : control by men of a disproportionately large share of power

2

: a society or institution organized according to the principles or practices of patriarchy

For 20 years the country was ruled as a patriarchy.

Examples of patriarchy in a Sentence

For 20 years, the country was ruled as a patriarchy.

a region in which patriarchy is practiced

Recent Examples on the Web

Le Sueur omitted the women who stayed throughout the crucifixion’s horror, in favor of featuring Adam’s skull, symbol of Catholic patriarchy. —Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2024

The relevant truth that the patriarchy’s all-day menu of attractiveness hasn’t changed in centuries (thinness, femininity, youth) narrows your options between conventional standards and however much your personal authentic expression strays from them. —Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 9 July 2024

For a film that actively critiques the patriarchy in between crowd-pleasing musical numbers — and unapologetically loves a pink palette — the fact that neither Robbie or Gerwig are getting their flowers feels like a prime example of how hard women have to work to be recognised. —Alicia Lansom, refinery29.com, 23 Jan. 2024

The film is largely left up to audience interpretation, putting a sci-fi spin on familiar themes such as grief, reproduction and the patriarchy. —Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 9 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

patriarchy

noun

pa·​tri·​ar·​chy ˈpā-trē-ˌär-kē 

plural patriarchies

1

: social organization in which the father is head of the family and ancestry and inheritance are traced in the male line

2

: a society organized according to the principles of patriarchy