matriarchal

adjective

ma·​tri·​ar·​chal ˌmā-trē-ˈär-kəl How to pronounce matriarchal (audio)
: of, relating to, or being a matriarch or matriarchy
a matriarchal society
Johnnie Angelia King … plays a very different matriarchal figure here, imbuing hard-working Faye with passion …Larry T. Collins
As a Filipino-American, Lirio Marcelo was steeped in a matriarchal culture where there was no shortage of female role models in corporate and government realms.Lydia Dishman

Examples of matriarchal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The atmosphere, though heavy at times, was familial and infused with a distinct matriarchal energy that is invigorating and powerful. Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 23 Oct. 2024 My mom was really strong, and so is her mom, and her mom, and her mom — a very matriarchal family, in general, on both sides, all my grandmothers, and great-grandmothers. Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 26 Sep. 2024 Shop Sonam Kapoor's Open Door Such design derring-do is part of Kapoor’s DNA, traceable back in a matriarchal line of cultured women with a talent for interiors. Cosmo Brockway, Architectural Digest, 12 Aug. 2024 Now, matriarchal families are leading the majority of businesses on the island. Victoria Leandra, refinery29.com, 9 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for matriarchal 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'matriarchal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1780, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of matriarchal was in 1780

Dictionary Entries Near matriarchal

Cite this Entry

“Matriarchal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/matriarchal. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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