patriarchy

American  

[pey-tree-ahr-kee] / ˈpeɪ triˌɑr ki /

noun

plural

patriarchies

1. a form of social organization in which the father is the supreme authority in the family, clan, or tribe and descent is reckoned in the male line, with the children belonging to the father's clan or tribe.

2. a society, community, or country based on this social organization.

3. a social system in which power is held by men, through cultural norms and customs that favor men and withhold opportunity from women.

   The corporate glass ceiling is one consequence of patriarchy in education and business.

4. Often the Patriarchy the men in power in a society.

   The Patriarchy is vested in maintenance of the status quo.

---

patriarchy British  

/ ˈpeɪtrɪˌɑːkɪ /

noun

1. a form of social organization in which a male is the head of the family and descent, kinship, and title are traced through the male line

2. any society governed by such a system

---

patriarchy Cultural  

1. A family or society in which authority is vested in males, through whom descent and inheritance are traced. (See also matriarchy and primogeniture.)

---

Other Word Forms

• antipatriarchy noun

Etymology

Origin of patriarchy

First recorded in 1555–65; ultimately from Greek patriarchía, derivation of patriárchēs and -ía noun suffix; patriarch ( def. ), -y ³ ( def. )

Explanation

A patriarchy is a social system or organization run by men. If Dad always gets the last word in your house, then you're living under a patriarchy! A patriarchy is a social or political system with one or several men in charge. It may refer to society at large or to one segment, such as the Catholic Church, with the Archbishop and Pope in positions of power. The word can also describe family systems, especially when relationships and property are determined by males. In modern times patriarchy is often considered to be oppressive to women; if you’re a feminist, then you’re definitely not a fan of patriarchy.

Example Sentences

The black-and-white drama tells the story of a woman passing herself off as a man in rural 17th-century Germany to escape the constraints of patriarchy.

From Barron's • Feb. 21, 2026

“What’s in decline is patriarchy, and people’s demand for it,” she added.

From Salon • Nov. 21, 2025

The controversy gained traction because of Smith’s record of championing the marginalized, citing theorists like Frantz Fanon while targeting empires and the omnipresent patriarchy.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 28, 2025

Swift’s engagement to the football star was long anticipated by her die-hard fans, who for years studied her lyrics about heartbreak and the patriarchy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 27, 2025

Jane, your films were about sticking it to the man, snapping back at the patriarchy by showing strong female protagonists who didn’t conform to gender roles.

From "From Twinkle, with Love" by Sandhya Menon