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
Louisiana matriarchs are partial to this vanilla custard pie.
—
Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
The 84-year-old matriarch was last seen Saturday at her Tucson, Ariz.
—Jami Ganz, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
Cooney is the matriarch who brings the family together.
—Keith Flanagan, Architectural Digest, 6 Feb. 2026
Written by Berlanti and Doran from a story the duo co-wrote with Robbie Rogers, How To Survive Without Me is set in the wake of matriarch Beverly’s passing.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for matriarch
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Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2026
The 84-year-old matriarch was last seen Saturday at her Tucson, Ariz.
—Jami Ganz, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
Cooney is the matriarch who brings the family together.
—Keith Flanagan, Architectural Digest, 6 Feb. 2026
Written by Berlanti and Doran from a story the duo co-wrote with Robbie Rogers, How To Survive Without Me is set in the wake of matriarch Beverly’s passing.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for matriarch
Cite this Entry
“Matriarch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/matriarch. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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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