matriarch

[mey-tree-ahrk]

noun

1. the female head of a family or tribal line.

2. a woman who is the founder or dominant member of a community or group.

3. a venerable old woman.

matriarch

/ ˈmeɪtrɪˌɑːk /

noun

1. a woman who dominates an organization, community, etc

2. the female head of a tribe or family, esp in a matriarchy

3. a very old or venerable woman

Other Word Forms

• matriarchal adjective
• matriarchalism noun
• matriarchic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of matriarch¹

First recorded in 1600–10; matri- + -arch

Word History and Origins

Origin of matriarch¹

C17: from _matri- + _-arch , by false analogy with _patriarch

Example Sentences

Nicky was not only the matriarch of her herd, but was believed to be the oldest giraffe in North America, according to zoo officials.

From Los Angeles Times

The matriarch of Carol’s family, Halmeoni, did not approve of her granddaughter dating someone who wasn’t even Asian, let alone a Jew.

From Los Angeles Times

For decades, her adobe dwelling hosted waves of grandchildren and great-grandchildren as sons and daughters went back and forth, entrusting expanding broods to the matriarch.

From Los Angeles Times

Zeta-Jones says the second season gives her a bigger role after "just dropping in and setting up the matriarch of this central character" in the first.

From BBC

That woman was Deborah Mason, known to family as Gangsta Debbs or Queen Bee: a grandmother and the matriarch of a crime family that operated across south east England.

From BBC

Related Words

• matron