matriarchy
|ma/tri/ar/chy|
🇺🇸
/ˈmeɪtriˌɑrki/
🇬🇧
/ˈmeɪtriˌɑːki/
female-led society
Etymology
'matriarchy' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'matēr' meaning 'mother' and 'arkhein' meaning 'to rule'.
'matriarchy' changed from the Greek word 'matriarkhia' and eventually became the modern English word 'matriarchy'.
Initially, it meant 'rule by mothers', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a social system where women hold primary power'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a social system in which the mother or a female elder has absolute authority over the family group; a society, community, or country based on this social system.
In a matriarchy, women hold the primary power positions in roles of political leadership, moral authority, and control of property.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/14 06:12