matriarchy

/ˈmeɪtriˌɑrki/
noun
  1. A social system in which women, especially mothers, hold primary power and authority, including political leadership, moral authority, and control of property.
    • Some people mistakenly think a matriarchy is simply the opposite of a patriarchy.
    • The anthropologist studied a modern matriarchy in a small island community.
    • In this matriarchy, family lineage is traced through the mother.
  2. A family, group, or state that is dominated by a woman or women.
    • The novel describes a small town that operates as a quiet matriarchy.
    • The company was a matriarchy, with three sisters on the board of directors.
    • Her grandmother ran the household like a matriarchy, making all major decisions.
Antonyms
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