Matriarchy
noun /ˈmeɪ.tri.ɑː.ki/ — A social system in which women hold primary power and authority.
Definition
A system of society or government in which women hold primary power, especially in the family. Matriarchal societies exist or have existed across many cultures, though debate continues about their historical prevalence.
Beyond the definition
Matriarchy is less a documented reality than a concept that reveals, by contrast, how thoroughly the opposite has been normalised. To imagine a world where power flows differently is to begin to question why it flows where it does.
Origin & history
Latin: 'mater' (mother) + Greek: 'arkhein' (to rule). Coined in the 19th century, partly as a theoretical foil to patriarchy. Some anthropologists dispute whether true matriarchies have existed.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The Mosuo of China are often cited as a matriarchal society — women hold the domestic and economic authority.
She ran her family as an affectionate matriarchy, unchallenged and deeply respected.
The novel imagined a matriarchy not as utopia, but as a different set of problems.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Matriarchy” when the meaning fits your context: A system of society or government in which women hold primary power, especially in the family. Matriarchal societies exist or have existed across many cultures, though debate continues about their historical prevalence.
Synonyms
female dominance, gynecocracy, mother-rule
Antonyms
patriarchy, androcracy
Related words
Matriarchy vs feminism
Matriarchy is a social system where women hold the primary power and authority. Feminism is a movement advocating for political, economic, and social equality for all genders.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Leader Reviewing Architectural Model
A team leader calmly reviews a model with colleagues, using open hands and composed posture.
The team leader demonstrates a form of authority that prioritizes collective achievement and inclusive review, providing a visual counterpoint to exclusionary structures through composed, authoritative leadership.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Matriarchy" mean?
Matriarchy is noun meaning: A social system in which women hold primary power and authority.. A system of society or government in which women hold primary power, especially in the family. Matriarchal societies exist or have existed across many cultures, though debate continues about their historical prevalence.
Where does the word "Matriarchy" come from?
Latin: 'mater' (mother) + Greek: 'arkhein' (to rule). Coined in the 19th century, partly as a theoretical foil to patriarchy. Some anthropologists dispute whether true matriarchies have existed.