matriarch
noun
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
Desiree Hadley, Essence, 13 June 2024
But, by early this month, the matriarch was becoming increasingly uncomfortable.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2024
The family matriarch opened up about the loss in an episode of The 19th Hole podcast.
—Nasha Smith, Peoplemag, 11 June 2024
Many of the best onscreen matriarchs actually seem like real people, with all of their flaws and quirks.
—Marianne Eloise, Vulture, 11 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for matriarch 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'matriarch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near matriarch
Cite this Entry
“Matriarch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/matriarch. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
matriarch
noun
Share