matriarch
noun
ma·tri·arch
ˈmā-trē-ˌärk 
: a woman who rules or dominates a family, group, or state
specifically
: a mother who is head and ruler of her family and descendants
Our grandmother was the family's matriarch.
Did you know?
A matriarchy is a social unit governed by a woman or group of women. It isn't certain that a true matriarchal society has ever existed, so matriarchy is usually treated as an imaginative concept. But there are societies in which relatedness through women rather than men is stressed, and elements of matriarchy may be stronger in certain societies than they are in most of the Western world. And most of us can point to families in which a woman has become the dominant figure, or grande dame, or matriarch.
Examples of matriarch in a Sentence
Our grandmother was the family's matriarch.
The tribe's matriarch ruled for 20 years before her death.
Recent Examples on the Web
After her father King George VI brought home a corgi named Dookie from a local kennel, the late monarch received a dog for her 18th birthday named Susan — who went on to be the matriarch of a long line of royal dogs.
—
Stephanie Petit, People.com, 25 Feb. 2025
The 1923 cast also includes Helen Mirren as Cara Dutton, Jacob’s wife and the matriarch of the ranch.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 21 Feb. 2025
As Mags, the Bennett clan matriarch and local criminal kingpin, Margo Martindale intimidated and surprised (to an Emmy-winning degree).
—EW.com, 19 Feb. 2025
Neighbors said the matriarch of the family appeared to suffer dementia, while her adult daughter had Down syndrome.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for matriarch
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Stephanie Petit, People.com, 25 Feb. 2025
The 1923 cast also includes Helen Mirren as Cara Dutton, Jacob’s wife and the matriarch of the ranch.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 21 Feb. 2025
As Mags, the Bennett clan matriarch and local criminal kingpin, Margo Martindale intimidated and surprised (to an Emmy-winning degree).
—EW.com, 19 Feb. 2025
Neighbors said the matriarch of the family appeared to suffer dementia, while her adult daughter had Down syndrome.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for matriarch
Cite this Entry
“Matriarch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/matriarch. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
matriarch
noun
ma·tri·arch
ˈmā-trē-ˌärk
: a woman who rules a family, group, or state
especially
: a mother who is head of her family and descendants
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