Definition

1. Noun:
   • A woman in charge of nursing in a medical institution: A senior female nurse responsible for supervising other nurses and the care of patients, especially in a hospital.
   • A wardress in a prison: A female officer in charge of women in a prison.
   • A married woman (usually middle-aged with children) who is staid and dignified: A respectable, mature married woman, often implying a certain social standing, maturity, and responsible character.

Usage Examples

• Medical context:
  • The hospital matron ensured all wards were running smoothly.
  • She spoke with the matron about her son's care.
• Prison context:
  • The matron supervised the female inmates during exercise.
• Social context:
  • She was the very picture of a respectable matron, active in the community.
  • The charity event was organized by a committee of local matrons.

Advanced Usage

• "Matron of honor": In a wedding, a married woman who serves as the chief attendant to the bride. (Note: This is a specific compound term listed separately as a variant).
  • Her older sister was her matron of honor.
• The term can sometimes carry a slightly old-fashioned or formal connotation, particularly in its social sense.

Variants and Related Words

• Matronly (adjective): Having the appearance or qualities characteristic of a matron; often used to describe a woman who is dignified, staid, or somewhat stout in a motherly way.
  • She had a kind, matronly demeanor.
• Matron of honor (noun phrase): As defined above.

Synonyms

• Supervisor (for the nursing/wardress senses).
• Head nurse (for the medical sense).
• Wardress (for the prison sense).
• Dame (for the social sense, though more informal).
• Dowager (for the social sense, often implying widowhood and high social rank).

Antonyms

• Maid (an unmarried young woman).
• Spinster (an older unmarried woman, now often considered dated or offensive).

Related Idioms and Phrases

• To have a matronly air/figure: To possess a dignified, mature, and often somewhat solid or motherly physical presence.
  • Even in her youth, she had a matronly air about her.

Noun

1. a woman in charge of nursing in a medical institution
2. a wardress in a prison
3. a married woman (usually middle-aged with children) who is staid and dignified