noun
Uncommon
patriarch
PAYT-rih-ahk
Patriarch (noun) means a senior bishop who ranks above others, especially in Orthodox or Catholic church hierarchy. Example: “The patriarch of Constantinople is a leading figure in Eastern Orthodox Christianity.”
noun
1
A senior bishop who ranks above others, especially in Orthodox or Catholic church hierarchy.
"The patriarch of Constantinople is a leading figure in Eastern Orthodox Christianity."
2
The male head of a family, tribe, or community, especially a respected elder.
"As the family patriarch, he still had the final say on major decisions."
"The novel follows three generations descended from the same patriarch."
3
The founder of a movement, organization, or tradition.
"He is often called the patriarch of modern jazz guitar."
How to use patriarch
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA senior male leader — of a church, a family, or a whole tradition.
Common pairings
family patriarch
church patriarch
aging patriarch
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Word forms
- Plural
- patriarchs
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The _____ of Constantinople is a leading figure in Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
Etymology
From Greek patriarkhēs, built from patria ("family, lineage") plus -arkhēs ("ruler"), so literally "ruler of the family."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for patriarch
See all rhymes for patriarch →Frequently asked questions
What does “patriarch” mean?
The word “patriarch” means a senior bishop who ranks above others, especially in Orthodox or Catholic church hierarchy. In plain terms, a senior male leader — of a church, a family, or a whole tradition.
How do you pronounce “patriarch”?
“Patriarch” is pronounced PAYT-rih-ahk (/ˈpeɪtɹiɑɹk/ in IPA).
How do you use “patriarch” in a sentence?
Here is “patriarch” used in a sentence: “The patriarch of Constantinople is a leading figure in Eastern Orthodox Christianity.”
What is the opposite of “patriarch”?
The opposite of “patriarch” — its antonyms — are matriarch and materfamilias.
What part of speech is “patriarch”?
“Patriarch” is a noun.
Where does the word “patriarch” come from?
The word “patriarch” comes from Greek. From Greek patriarkhēs, built from patria ("family, lineage") plus -arkhēs ("ruler"), so literally "ruler of the family.".
Is “patriarch” a common word?
“Patriarch” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “patriarch” have?
“Patriarch” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a senior bishop who ranks above others, especially in Orthodox or Catholic church hierarchy.
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