English · Culture & Society
matriarchy
/ˈmeɪ.tri.ɑː.ki/
[/ˈmeɪ.tri.ɑː.ki/]
female-led system
Advancednoun
Definition
A social system in which women hold most of the power, or in which descent is traced through the mother. It is rarer than patriarchy.
Example
Anthropologists studied the small matriarchy where property passed down through the women of each family.
Anthropologists studied the small matriarchy where property passed down through the women of each family.
Etymology
From Latin 'mater' (mother) and Greek 'arkhein' (to rule), modeled on 'patriarchy'.
How & Where It’s Used
Used in anthropology and gender studies.