noun
matriarch
MAYT-rih-ahk
noun
1
A woman who is the head or leading figure of a family, tribe, or group.
"The family matriarch still made every major decision at ninety years old."
"As matriarch of the herd, the oldest elephant leads the group to water."
How to Use Matriarch
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA senior, powerful female leader of a family or group.
Easily confused with
matriarchy
patriarch →
Common pairings
family matriarch
clan matriarch
Word Forms
matriarchs plural
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The family _____ still made every major decision at ninety years old.
Etymology
From Latin māter, "mother," combined with -arch, from Greek arkhós, "chief, leader."