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
Meanwhile, Gloria Reuben will play Mae Silver, the Silver family matriarch, and Marcus Scribner will play Jonah, the family's youngest member.
—
Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 18 July 2025
Her photo may have been prominently displayed, along with Aurora matriarch Marie Wilkinson’s, when the Quad County Urban League celebrated its 50th anniversary at Monday’s open house, but Theodia Gillespie was determined to keep the focus of this event on others.
—Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 16 July 2025
Katherine Parkinson will play the Weasley family matriarch (originated by Julie Walters), Johnny Flynn will play Lucius Malfoy (originated by Jason Isaacs) and Lox Pratt will play Draco (Tom Felton).
—Julia Moore, People.com, 14 July 2025
Reed, who plays the family matriarch Mary and ultimately save George from prison and failure, ends up saving her husband.
—Andrew McGowan, Variety, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for matriarch
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Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 18 July 2025
Her photo may have been prominently displayed, along with Aurora matriarch Marie Wilkinson’s, when the Quad County Urban League celebrated its 50th anniversary at Monday’s open house, but Theodia Gillespie was determined to keep the focus of this event on others.
—Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 16 July 2025
Katherine Parkinson will play the Weasley family matriarch (originated by Julie Walters), Johnny Flynn will play Lucius Malfoy (originated by Jason Isaacs) and Lox Pratt will play Draco (Tom Felton).
—Julia Moore, People.com, 14 July 2025
Reed, who plays the family matriarch Mary and ultimately save George from prison and failure, ends up saving her husband.
—Andrew McGowan, Variety, 14 July 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 30 Jul. 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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