matriarch

[mey-tree-ahrk]

See more synonyms for matriarch on Thesaurus.com

noun

the female head of a family or tribal line.
a woman who is the founder or dominant member of a community or group.
a venerable old woman.

Origin of matriarch

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

Related formsma·tri·ar·chal, ma·tri·ar·chic, adjectivema·tri·ar·chal·ism, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for matriarchal

fatherly, maternal, paternal, stately, grand, esteemed, revered, affectionate, benevolent, benign, comforting, devoted, fond, forbearing, gentle, indulgent, kind, loving, motherly, protective

Examples from the Web for matriarchal

Contemporary Examples of matriarchal

Jane was raised in a matriarchal family by her hyper-religious grandma and young, aspiring singer single mother.
‘Jane the Virgin’ Is The CW’s Best Show Ever
Amy Zimmerman
October 28, 2014
By calling in the matriarchal troops, Elin effectively changed the rules of the game.
What Tiger's Mom Saw
Lizzie Skurnick
December 5, 2009

Historical Examples of matriarchal

The first has the matriarchal while the second has the patriarchal system.
The Journal of Negro History, Volume 8, 1923
Various
We have seen this from our exposition of the matriarchal period.
Woman and Socialism
August Bebel
The Jewish home blended two ideals, patriarchal and matriarchal.
Child Versus Parent
Stephen Wise
Still the old awe of the Word of the matriarchal, matrilineal church.
Evil Out of Onzar
Mark Ganes
The Yaos of Africa have what may be regarded as a matriarchal organisation.
The Position of Woman in Primitive Society
C. Gasquoine Hartley

British Dictionary definitions for matriarchal

matriarch

noun

a woman who dominates an organization, community, etc
the female head of a tribe or family, esp in a matriarchy
a very old or venerable woman

Derived Formsmatriarchal or rare matriarchic, adjectivematriarchalism, noun

Word Origin for matriarch

C17: from matri- + -arch, by false analogy with patriarch

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for matriarchal

adj.

1780 (in reference to bee colonies); see matriarch + -al (1); "patterned after patriarchy" [Barnhart]. Related: Matriarchally.

matriarch

"mother who heads a family or tribe," c.1600, from matri- + -arch, abstracted from patriarch.