matriarch

[mey-tree-ahrk]

noun

1. the female head of a family or tribal line.

2. a woman who is the founder or dominant member of a community or group.

3. a venerable old woman.

matriarch

/ ˈmeɪtrɪˌɑːk /

noun

1. a woman who dominates an organization, community, etc

2. the female head of a tribe or family, esp in a matriarchy

3. a very old or venerable woman

Other Word Forms

• matriarchal adjective
• matriarchalism noun
• matriarchic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of matriarch¹

First recorded in 1600–10; matri- + -arch

Word History and Origins

Origin of matriarch¹

C17: from _matri- + _-arch , by false analogy with _patriarch

Example Sentences

Orianna Halloran is a matriarch drunk with power when members of the extended Halloran family receive the strange news that doomsday is nigh, and only their grand house and its occupants will survive.

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She’s the family matriarch, she explains, not because she’s the eldest, but because she makes the most money.

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The series picked up the story of the working class family, who were grieving over the death of matriarch Roseanne Conner, who had overdosed on opioids.

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And when it came to casting Laura, a fierce matriarch committed to protecting her son, Daniel, from his new girlfriend, everyone she pictured in the role was unavailable.

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Nicky was not only the matriarch of her herd, but was believed to be the oldest giraffe in North America, according to zoo officials.

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Related Words

• matron