Matriarchy: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘งโ€๐Ÿ‘ง
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matriarchy

 

[ หˆmeษชtriหŒษ‘หrki ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

social structure

A system of society or government ruled by a woman or women. In a matriarchy, females hold the primary power positions in roles of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege, and control of property. This concept contrasts with patriarchy, which is a system where men hold the primary power positions.

Synonyms

female-led society, mother-rule.

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Word Description / Examples
matriarchy

This term refers to a social system where women, particularly mothers, hold primary power and authority. It is often used in anthropological, sociological, and historical discussions.

  • The ancient society was a matriarchy where lineage and inheritance were traced through the female line
female-led society

This phrase is used to describe a community or group where leadership roles and decision-making processes are predominantly held by women. It is commonly used in modern discussions about gender equality and social structures.

  • In a female-led society, women play key roles in government, business, and family life
mother-rule

This term has a similar meaning to 'matriarchy' but with a slightly more specific focus on the role of mothers in governance. It is less commonly used and can sometimes have a slightly archaic or negative connotation.

  • Some tribes practiced mother-rule, where elder women made the crucial decisions for the community

Examples of usage

  • Many indigenous societies were matriarchal, with women playing key roles in decision-making processes.
  • In a matriarchy, inheritance is often traced through the female line rather than the male line.

Translations

Translations of the word "matriarchy" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น matriarcado

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฎเคพเคคเฅƒเคธเคคเฅเคคเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Matriarchat

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ matriarki

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะผะฐั‚ั€ั–ะฐั€ั…ะฐั‚

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ matriarchat

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๆฏ็ณป็คพไผš (ใผใ‘ใ„ใ—ใ‚ƒใ‹ใ„)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท matriarcat

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ matriarcado

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท anaerkil toplum

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ชจ๊ณ„ ์‚ฌํšŒ (๋ชจ๊ณ„์‚ฌํšŒ)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุงู„ู†ุธุงู… ุงู„ุฃู…ูˆู…ูŠ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ matriarchรกt

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ matriarchรกt

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆฏ็ณป็คพไผš (mว”xรฌ shรจhuรฌ)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ matriarhat

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ mรณรฐurveldi

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะผะฐั‚ั€ะธะฐั€ั…ะฐั‚

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒแƒขแƒ แƒ˜แƒแƒ แƒฅแƒแƒขแƒ˜ (matriarkati)

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ matriarxat

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ matriarcado

Etymology

The term 'matriarchy' comes from the Greek words 'mater' meaning mother and 'archein' meaning to rule. The concept of matriarchy has been a subject of anthropological and sociological study, with some scholars arguing that true matriarchal societies have been rare or non-existent in human history. The idea of matriarchy has often been used to challenge traditional gender roles and power dynamics.

See also: matriarch.