matriarchy

[ mey-tree-ahr-kee ]

noun

, plural ma·tri·ar·chies.

1. a family, society, community, or state governed by women.
2. a form of social organization in which the mother is head of the family, and in which descent is reckoned in the female line, the children belonging to the mother's clan; matriarchal system.

matriarchy

/ ˈmeɪtrɪˌɑːkɪ /

noun

1. a form of social organization in which a female is head of the family or society, and descent and kinship are traced through the female line
2. any society dominated by women

matriarchy

1. A family or society in which authority is held by females, through whom descent and inheritance are traced. More generally, a matriarchy is a society dominated by women. ( See also matrilineal , patriarchy , and patrilineal .)

Word History and Origins

Origin of matriarchy¹

First recorded in 1880–85; matri- + -archy

Example Sentences

At the Creative Arts Emmys on Saturday, Bassett nabbed the win for her outstanding narration in "Queens," a docuseries from National Geographic about matriarchies in the wild.

From Salon

Momala Harris, just like all Jewish moms, Black moms and all matriarchy legacies of every ethnic heritage, is elevated by being tenderly respected as “Momala Harris.”

From Seattle Times

In an effort to break down the elaborate hierarchies of Coast Salish matriarchies, Christian missionaries forced higher status women to give up sources of traditional prestige, including woolly dogs.

From Science Magazine

They thought the women’s rich adornments suggested a matriarchy, where powerful women were buried and their sons or grandsons added to their tombs later.

From Science Magazine

The whole idea that the opposite of patriarchy is matriarchy is just another side of a domination coin.

From Scientific American