patriarch
noun
pa·tri·arch
ˈpā-trē-ˌärk 
1
a
: one of the scriptural fathers of the human race or of the Hebrew people
Abraham was a patriarch of the Israelites.
b
: a man who is father or founder
The newspaper patriarch celebrated his 90th birthday.
c(1)
: the oldest member or representative of a group
the cypress … is the patriarch of native trees, going back to the time of the dinosaur—
Amer. Guide Series: Texas
Amer. Guide Series: Texas
(2)
: a venerable old man
a whiskered patriarch, spry for his age—Frank Sullivan
Frank Sullivan
d
: a man who is head of a patriarchy
2
a
: any of the bishops of the ancient or Eastern Orthodox sees of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem or the ancient and Western see of Rome with authority over other bishops
b
: the head of any of various Eastern churches
c
: a Roman Catholic bishop next in rank to the pope with purely titular or with metropolitan (see metropolitan entry 2 sense 1) jurisdiction
3
: a Mormon of the Melchizedek priesthood empowered to perform the ordinances of the church and pronounce blessings within a stake or prescribed jurisdiction
Examples of patriarch in a Sentence
Our grandfather was the family's patriarch.
The tribe's patriarch ruled for 20 years before his death.
Recent Examples on the Web
But their fishing empire has started to crumble as patriarch Harlan Buckley (McCallany) recovers from two heart attacks, and his wife Belle (Bello) and son Cane (Weary) venture into the deep end to keep the family businesses afloat.
—Lynette Rice, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2025
But their fishing empire has started to crumble as patriarch Harlan Buckley (Holt McCallany) recovers from two heart attacks, and his wife Belle (Maria Bello) and son Cane (Jake Weary) venture into the deep end to keep the family businesses afloat.
—Emily Longeretta, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025
Pierce Brosnan plays Conrad, patriarch of the Harrigans, who have roots and accents from Ireland.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 28 Mar. 2025
The two share a daughter named Catie. 02 of 18
Stephen Collins as Eric Camden
Playing the Camden family patriarch and Protestant minister was Stephen Collins.
—Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for patriarch
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Lynette Rice, Deadline, 9 Apr. 2025
But their fishing empire has started to crumble as patriarch Harlan Buckley (Holt McCallany) recovers from two heart attacks, and his wife Belle (Maria Bello) and son Cane (Jake Weary) venture into the deep end to keep the family businesses afloat.
—Emily Longeretta, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025
Pierce Brosnan plays Conrad, patriarch of the Harrigans, who have roots and accents from Ireland.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 28 Mar. 2025
The two share a daughter named Catie. 02 of 18
Stephen Collins as Eric Camden
Playing the Camden family patriarch and Protestant minister was Stephen Collins.
—Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for patriarch
Cite this Entry
“Patriarch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patriarch. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
patriarch
noun
pa·tri·arch
ˈpā-trē-ˌärk
1
a
: one of the Old Testament fathers of the human race or of the Hebrew people
b
: the father and ruler of a family or tribe
c
: an old man deserving respect
2
: any of various bishops of highest rank and dignity
patriarchal
adjective
ˌpā-trē-ˈär-kəl
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