Definition

1. Noun:
   • A social system or form of social organization in which women, especially mothers, hold the primary positions of power and authority. This includes leadership in political, moral, and social spheres, with family lineage and inheritance typically traced through the female line.

Usage

• The term "matriarchy" is used to describe a theoretical or historical type of society, often contrasted with "patriarchy." It is a formal, academic term commonly found in anthropology, sociology, and gender studies.
• It functions as a countable noun (e.g., , ) and as an uncountable noun when referring to the concept in general.

Examples

• Noun:
  • Some anthropologists have studied societies believed to be a matriarchy.
  • The legend describes an island that was once a powerful matriarchy.
  • In a matriarchy, family names and property are often passed from mother to daughter.

Advanced Usage

• "The myth of matriarchy": A phrase used in academic discourse to debate the historical existence of true matriarchal societies versus societies with matrilineal or matrifocal traits.
  • The lecture focused on deconstructing the myth of matriarchy in prehistoric narratives.

Variants and Related Words

• Matriarch (n): A woman who is the head of a family or tribe.
  • The elderly matriarch made all the important decisions for the clan.
• Matriarchal (adj): Relating to or characteristic of a matriarchy.
  • They studied the matriarchal structure of the community.
• Matrilineal (adj): Of or based on kinship with the mother or the female line.
  • Their matrilineal descent system means children belong to the mother's clan.
• Matrifocal (adj): Centered or focused on the mother.
  • The household had a matrifocal structure, with the mother as the central figure.

Synonyms

• Gynarchy: Government by women.
• Matrifocality: A social structure where the mother is the central head of the family unit.

Antonyms

• Patriarchy: A social system in which men hold primary power.

Noun

1. a form of social organization in which a female is the family head and title is traced through the female line