patriarchy

[ pey-tree-ahr-kee ]

/ ˈpeɪ triˌɑr ki /

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See synonyms for patriarchy on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural pa·tri·arch·ies.

a form of social organization in which the father is the supreme authority in the family, clan, or tribe and descent is reckoned in the male line, with the children belonging to the father's clan or tribe.

a society, community, or country based on this social organization.

a social system in which power is held by men, through cultural norms and customs that favor men and withhold opportunity from women: The corporate glass ceiling is one consequence of patriarchy in education and business.

Often the Patriarchy . the men in power in a society: The Patriarchy is vested in maintenance of the status quo.

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Origin of patriarchy

First recorded in 1555–65; ultimately from Greek patriarchía, derivation of patriárchēs and -ía noun suffix; see origin at patriarch, -y³

OTHER WORDS FROM patriarchy

an·ti·pa·tri·ar·chy, noun, plural an·ti·pa·tri·ar·chies.

Words nearby patriarchy

patriarchal, patriarchal cross, patriarchalism, patriarchate, patriarchs, patriarchy, patriate, Patricia, patrician, patriciate, patricide

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use patriarchy in a sentence

Elementary-age kids won’t understand structural sexism and the patriarchy, so instead, talk to them about fairness.
How to use science to talk to kids about gender|Purbita Saha|July 22, 2021|Popular-Science
They also ask questions about issues like patriarchy, capitalism, and oppression that I’m definitely not qualified to answer in a 30-second soundbite.
Critical race theory hysteria overshadows the importance of teaching kids about racism|Jania Hoover|July 9, 2021|Vox
The patriarchy can try to control us, but some of us cannot be controlled.
Declared Insane for Speaking Up: The Dark American History of Silencing Women Through Psychiatry|Kate Moore|June 22, 2021|Time
A mortal woman who takes on the patriarchy—even one of exceptional abilities, like Carey Mulligan’s super-intelligent character—is likely to destroy herself in the process.
Pop Culture Is Finally Getting Over the Girlboss Heroine. What Comes Next?|Judy Berman|June 17, 2021|Time

A huge part of this is a horrific reflection of the misogyny—cloaked in patriarchy—that the military holds dear, having beaten it into the hearts and minds of the people of Myanmar.
Myanmar's Women Are Fighting for a New Future After a Long History of Military Oppression|MiMi Aye|June 1, 2021|Time
She was born into a patriarchy and an industry that hyper-sexualizes women all the time.
Revenge of the Rock Nerds: TV on the Radio’s Long Road to ‘Seeds’|Marlow Stern|December 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She is against the patriarchy, especially when personified in villainous ogres like the Duke of Deception.
Wonder Woman’s Creation Story Is Wilder Than You Could Ever Imagine|Tom Arnold-Forster|November 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“They will be the advocates of patriarchy, traditional systems and behavior,” Dhakal says.
The Sad Hidden Plight of Child Grooms|Nina Strochlic|September 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And maybe dealing a death blow to the patriarchy in the process.
Meet the Professor of Hairy Studies|Lizzie Crocker|July 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Or a select few can boost their grades by braiding their armpit hair and fighting the patriarchy.
Meet the Professor of Hairy Studies|Lizzie Crocker|July 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Descent was matrilinear, and a society known as matriarchy existed, as contrasted to the later patriarchy.
The Sex Worship and Symbolism of Primitive Races|Sanger Brown, II
Patriarchy succeeded matriarchy, but whether as a gradual evolution or otherwise is not clear.
The Sex Worship and Symbolism of Primitive Races|Sanger Brown, II
The people seem to be in a transition state between Patriarchy and Matriarchy.
Savage Island|Basil C. Thomson
In this we seem to have the savor of a system of patriarchy.
Ifugao Law|R. F. Burton
The first form of government was a patriarchy—the father of the family and of the tribe being the ruler.
The Theistic Conception of the World|B. F. (Benjamin Franklin) Cocker

British Dictionary definitions for patriarchy

patriarchy

/ (ˈpeɪtrɪˌɑːkɪ) /

noun plural -chies

a form of social organization in which a male is the head of the family and descent, kinship, and title are traced through the male line

any society governed by such a system

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

Cultural definitions for patriarchy

patriarchy

[ (pay-tree-ahr-kee) ]

A family or society in which authority is vested in males, through whom descent and inheritance are traced. (See also matriarchy and primogeniture.)

patriarchy

Origin of patriarchy

OTHER WORDS FROM patriarchy

Words nearby patriarchy

Words related to patriarchy

How to use patriarchy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for patriarchy

Cultural definitions for patriarchy