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patriarchs

Cultural

In the Old Testament, the “founding fathers” of the Israelites: Abraham and Isaac, Jacob, and the sons of Jacob. (See Joseph and his brothers.)

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Hell, most Old Testament patriarchs aren’t as demanding of loyalty and filial supplication as Rupert Murdoch, save for God himself.

From Salon • Mar. 14, 2026

Although Italy's foreign ministry announced that the patriarchs had entered Gaza with 500 tonnes of aid, Pizzaballa said "not a gram" had yet been able to enter due to logistical issues.

From BBC • Jul. 23, 2025

Bartholomew I is regarded as the “first among equals” among patriarchs in Eastern Orthodoxy and the spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 6, 2024

Is part of the problem that there are no other Black patriarchs with substantial speaking roles in any of the Bridgerton seasons thus far, so all we’re left with is him?

From Slate • May 4, 2023

And as the fiftieth anniversary of Independence Day approached, requests poured into Monticello and Quincy from across the land, asking the patriarchs to share their wisdom and memories about the meaning of it all.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023