patriarchy
noun
pa·tri·ar·chy
ˈpā-trē-ˌär-kē 
plural patriarchies
1
: social organization marked by the supremacy of the father in the clan or family, the legal dependence of wives and children, and the reckoning of descent and inheritance in the male line
broadly
: control by men of a disproportionately large share of power
2
: a society or institution organized according to the principles or practices of patriarchy
For 20 years the country was ruled as a patriarchy.
Examples of patriarchy in a Sentence
For 20 years, the country was ruled as a patriarchy.
a region in which patriarchy is practiced
Recent Examples on the Web
Soon The Handmaid’s Tale—and especially its instantly iconic costuming—became cultural shorthand for protesting against real-world patriarchy.
—
Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 28 May 2025
Violence against women is rampant in India due to entrenched sexism and patriarchy, despite laws being amended to include more severe punishments for abusers.
—Esha Mitra, CNN, 22 Feb. 2025
Before the show even launched, the now-iconic red cloaks were being used as a real-world symbol for resisting the patriarchy.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2025
As real life and The Handmaid’s Tale have taught us, the patriarchy isn’t going to smash itself.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for patriarchy
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Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 28 May 2025
Violence against women is rampant in India due to entrenched sexism and patriarchy, despite laws being amended to include more severe punishments for abusers.
—Esha Mitra, CNN, 22 Feb. 2025
Before the show even launched, the now-iconic red cloaks were being used as a real-world symbol for resisting the patriarchy.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2025
As real life and The Handmaid’s Tale have taught us, the patriarchy isn’t going to smash itself.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for patriarchy
Cite this Entry
“Patriarchy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patriarchy. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
patriarchy
noun
pa·tri·ar·chy
ˈpā-trē-ˌär-kē
plural patriarchies
1
: social organization in which the father is head of the family and ancestry and inheritance are traced in the male line
2
: a society organized according to the principles of patriarchy
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