matricide

noun

ma·​tri·​cide ˈma-trə-ˌsīd  ˈmā- 

1

[Latin matricidium, from matr- + -cidium -cide] : murder of a mother by her child

2

[Latin matricida, from matr- + -cida -cide] : one who commits matricide

matricidal

ˌma-trə-ˈsī-dᵊl 

ˌmā-

adjective

Examples of matricide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Within 10 days of this matricide, the rival queen starts laying eggs and is accepted as a new queen of the colony. — New Atlas, 17 Nov. 2025

At the center of the installation is the myth of Orestes, which hinges on the justification of matricide. — Eana Kim, ARTnews.com, 27 Apr. 2026

In the case of Tom Brandis, played by the singular Mark Ruffalo, a tragedy (matricide) has devastated his family unit. — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 2 June 2026

In the illuminated texts of the medieval and early Renaissance periods, artists decided to rachet up the horrors of Agrippina’s matricide. — Diana Arterian june 16, Literary Hub, 16 June 2025

Several generate physical action that, besides wickedness, is driven by rage — fights, accidents, assaults, pederasty, filicide, matricide. — Stuart Dybek, New York Times, 10 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for matricide

• actinide
• aldehyde
• alkoxide
• alongside
• amplified
• arsenide
• beautified
• biocide
• bisulphide
• butoxide
• calcified
• ceramide

Kids Definition

matricide

noun

ma·​tri·​cide ˈma-trə-ˌsīd  ˈmā- 

1

: murder of a mother by her child

2

: one that murders his or her mother

matricidal

ˌma-trə-ˈsīd-ᵊl 

ˌmā-

adjective

Medical Definition

matricide

noun

ma·​tri·​cide ˈma-trə-ˌsīd  ˈmā- 

1

: murder of a mother by her son or daughter

2

: one that murders his or her mother

Legal Definition

matricide

noun

mat·​ri·​cide ˈma-trə-ˌsīd 

1

: the murder of a mother by her son or daughter

2

[Latin matricida, from matr- + -cida killer] : a person who murders his or her mother

Etymology

Latin matricidium, from matr-, mater mother + -cidium killing