ma·tri·arch 
/ˈmeɪtriˌɑɚk/ noun
plural ma·tri·archs /ˈmeɪtriˌɑɚk/ noun [count] : a woman who controls a family, group, or government
▪ Our grandmother was the family's matriarch. ▪ The tribe's matriarch ruled for 20 years before her death. — compare patriarch
▪ Our grandmother was the family's matriarch. ▪ The tribe's matriarch ruled for 20 years before her death. — compare patriarch
— ma·tri·ar·chal /ˌmeɪtriˈɑɚkəl/ adjective
▪ matriarchal societies [=societies that are controlled by women]
/ˌmeɪtriˈɑɚkəl/ adjective ▪ matriarchal societies [=societies that are controlled by women]
