matron

[ mey-truhn ]

/ ˈmeɪ trən /

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See synonyms for matron on Thesaurus.com

noun

a married woman, especially one who is mature and staid or dignified and has an established social position.

a woman who has charge of the domestic affairs of a hospital, prison, or other institution.

a woman serving as a guard, warden, or attendant for women or girls, as in a prison.

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Hold your head up high as you embark on this quiz that explores some of the synonyms and meanings of “pride.”

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What does "dignity" mean?

showing self-respect

treating others with kindness

acting selfishly

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Origin of matron

1350–1400; Middle English matrone<Latin mātrōna a married woman, wife, derivative of māter mother

OTHER WORDS FROM matron

ma·tron·al

[mey-truh-nl, ma-], /ˈmeɪ trə nl, ˈmæ-/, adjectivema·tron·hood, ma·tron·ship, noun

Words nearby matron

matrix sentence, matrix unguis, matro-, matroclinous, matrocliny, matron, matronage, Matronalia, matronize, matronly, matron of honor

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use matron in a sentence

This newest, old hotel, stands like a neighborhood matron underneath New Hampshire Avenue’s lush tree canopy near the quirky shops of 18th, 17th, and U Streets.
There’s no place like Lyle’s|Tom Sommers|May 27, 2021|Washington Blade
Freed from those mermaid waves, the hairstyle of choice of countless 50-ish moms, Lovato looks freer and younger, less like a matron in training.
In Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil, the Pop Star Lays Her Secrets Bare, in a Guarded Way|Stephanie Zacharek|March 23, 2021|Time
Ted Lindsay, Reggie Sinclair, and Marty Pavelich of the Red Wings, were ushers, and Ted's wife, Pat, was matron of honor.
Gordie Howe Hockey’s Greatest War Horse|W.C. Heinz|May 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At another mortuary, “a very stout matron” has frozen to the metal refrigerator tray and must be chipped from it.
Death Became Her: Molly Lefebure’s Wartime Years of Murder and Suicide|Tim Teeman|April 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST

He asked why it was that Saldanha "was placed in a position in a matron office to be receiving calls from outside agencies".
Kate Suicide Nurse's Family Tell of "Terrible Grief"|Tom Sykes|March 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
His sister was a “country matron and Conservative party activist,” and so he would have nothing to do with her.
There Are Still Communists?|Justin Green|October 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Part matron, part goddess, she is, as she croons, burlesque, and all of its sexy, cheeky implications.
Burlesque v. Showgirls: The Face-Off|Nicole LaPorte|November 23, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Elderly matrons—and in Turkey every lady is an elderly matron in her fortieth year—are passionately devoted to this enjoyment.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
Gwynne's disapproval vanished as he shook hands with the blooming young matron and met her bright laughing eyes.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
With these words the matron dropped into her chair, and, once more resting her elbow on the table, thought of her solitary fate.
Oliver Twist, Vol. II (of 3)|Charles Dickens
The matron expressed her entire concurrence in this intelligible simile, and the beadle went on.
Oliver Twist, Vol. II (of 3)|Charles Dickens
As he spoke, he drew a chair beside the matron, and tenderly inquired what had happened to distress her.
Oliver Twist, Vol. II (of 3)|Charles Dickens

British Dictionary definitions for matron

matron

/ (ˈmeɪtrən) /

noun

a married woman regarded as staid or dignified, esp a middle-aged woman with children

a woman in charge of the domestic or medical arrangements in an institution, such as a boarding school

US a wardress in a prison

British the former name for the administrative head of the nursing staff in a hospitalOfficial name: nursing officer

Derived forms of matron

matronal, adjectivematronhood or matronship, nounmatron-like, adjective

Word Origin for matron

C14: via Old French from Latin mātrōna, from māter mother

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

matron

Origin of matron

OTHER WORDS FROM matron

Words nearby matron

Words related to matron

How to use matron in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for matron

Derived forms of matron

Word Origin for matron