matriarch

noun

ma·​tri·​arch ˈmā-trē-ˌärk 

: a woman who rules or dominates a family, group, or state

specifically : a mother who is head and ruler of her family and descendants

Our grandmother was the family's matriarch.

Did you know?

A matriarchy is a social unit governed by a woman or group of women. It isn't certain that a true matriarchal society has ever existed, so matriarchy is usually treated as an imaginative concept. But there are societies in which relatedness through women rather than men is stressed, and elements of matriarchy may be stronger in certain societies than they are in most of the Western world. And most of us can point to families in which a woman has become the dominant figure, or grande dame, or matriarch.

Synonyms

• dame
• dowager
• grande dame
• matron

Examples of matriarch in a Sentence

Our grandmother was the family's matriarch.

The tribe's matriarch ruled for 20 years before her death.

Recent Examples on the Web

When not dithering on about trivial matters, matriarch Ella (Leena Uotila) fusses over her spouse’s drinking habits. —Dennis Harvey, Variety, 21 Dec. 2024

The tradition originated with matriarch Kris Jenner hosting parties on Christmas Eve that all her kids remember fondly. —Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024

Adding to his slew of movies in the MCU (Madea Cinematic Universe), writer-director Tyler Perry channels the hot-headed matriarch for the franchise's Christmas rendition. —Cydney Lee and Kevin Jacobsen Published, EW.com, 18 Dec. 2024

Marcello’s novel triggered a desire for Salles to revisit that era — in this case, with the story of a broken family and a matriarch who had to reinvent herself to give her children any sort of future. —Gregory Ellwood, Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

matriarch

noun

ma·​tri·​arch ˈmā-trē-ˌärk 

: a woman who rules a family, group, or state

especially : a mother who is head of her family and descendants

matriarchal

ˌmā-trē-ˈär-kəl 

adjective