noun
matron
MAYT-ruhn
Matron (noun) means an older, often respected woman, especially one seen as dignified or authoritative. Example: “The matron of the household ran a tight ship over the servants.”
noun
1
An older, often respected woman, especially one seen as dignified or authoritative.
"The matron of the household ran a tight ship over the servants."
2
The senior nurse in charge of a hospital ward or unit.
"The matron insisted all visitors wash their hands before entering the ward."
How to use matron
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA mature, often senior woman, especially one in charge of a household, institution, or hospital ward.
UK vs US
The "senior hospital nurse" sense is mainly British; American English tends to use "head nurse" or "nurse manager."
Common pairings
hospital matron
stern matron
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Word forms
- Plural
- matrons
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ of the household ran a tight ship over the servants.
Etymology
From Old French matrone, from Latin mātrōna, "married woman," from māter, "mother."
Related words
Rhymes for matron
See all rhymes for matron →Frequently asked questions
What does “matron” mean?
The word “matron” means an older, often respected woman, especially one seen as dignified or authoritative. In plain terms, a mature, often senior woman, especially one in charge of a household, institution, or hospital ward.
How do you pronounce “matron”?
“Matron” is pronounced MAYT-ruhn (/ˈmeɪtɹən/ in IPA).
How do you use “matron” in a sentence?
Here is “matron” used in a sentence: “The matron of the household ran a tight ship over the servants.”
What part of speech is “matron”?
“Matron” is a noun.
Where does the word “matron” come from?
The word “matron” comes from Latin. From Old French matrone, from Latin mātrōna, "married woman," from māter, "mother.".
How many meanings does “matron” have?
“Matron” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an older, often respected woman, especially one seen as dignified or authoritative.
