What does "matriarchy" mean?
A social system in which the mother is head of household, having authority over men and children, and lineage is traced through the female line.
Matriarchy
/ˈmeɪ.tɹiˌɑː.ki/ noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A social system in which the mother is head of household, having authority over men and children, and lineage is traced through the female line.
- Grammar: matriarchy is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: matriarchate, female rule, feminine authority, gynarchy.
- Useful contrasts: male rule, patriarchal governance, patriarchal lineage.
- Usage evidence: Tom and Maria decided to join the Mosuo tribe in China, still living in the matriarchy.
How to use "matriarchy"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "matriarchy" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "matriarchy" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "matriarchy" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "matriarchy" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "matriarchy" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "matriarchate" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "matriarchy", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A social system in which the mother is head of household, having authority over men and children, and lineage is traced through the female line. countable, uncountable
"The difficulty is that when a man thinks of matriarchy, he thinks of a patriarchy with women in the place of men; he does not stop to consider that matriarchy may be a complete mirror-image. Where patriarchy establishes law, matriarchy establishes custom; where patriarchy establishes military power, matriarchy establishes religious authority; where patriarchy encourages the aresteia of the individual warrior, matriarchy encourages the tradition-bound cohesion of the collective. When, therefore, one envisions a matriarchy, one should not conjure up visions of a gang of Amazons lopping off breasts and testicles to rule by force of arms."
- 2 a form of social organization in which a female is the family head and title is traced through the female line wordnet
- 3 A system of government by females (particularly as a kind of polity). countable, uncountable
- 4 The dominance of women in social or cultural systems. countable, uncountable
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Tom and Maria decided to join the Mosuo tribe in China, still living in the matriarchy."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "matriarchy"?
Common synonyms include: matriarchate, female rule, feminine authority, gynarchy, gynecocracy, matriarchal order.
How do you use "matriarchy" in a sentence?
Tom and Maria decided to join the Mosuo tribe in China, still living in the matriarchy.
How do you pronounce "matriarchy"?
Pronounced /ˈmeɪ.tɹiˌɑː.ki/.
Etymology
Coined after patriarchy, from Latin māter (“mother”) and Ancient Greek ἄρχω (árkhō, “I rule”). By surface analysis, matri- + -archy.