matriarch

A matriarch is a female who acts as the head of a family, lineage, or community, often extending influence across generations. The term derives from matri- meaning mother and arch meaning ruler or leader, reflecting its roots in languages that denote maternal authority.

In human societies, matriarchs may be prominent figures within families or clans, particularly in those with matrilineal or matrifocal traditions, where descent or inheritance is traced through the female line or where women maintain central roles in household governance. The existence of a matriarch does not imply that the entire society is governed by women; rather, she represents a focal point of authority or respect within the group.

In ecology and animal behavior, a matriarch is the senior female who leads her group—most famously in African elephant herds—using accumulated knowledge to locate water, routes, and food, and to guide social learning. The loss of a matriarch can affect group cohesion and survival.

In common language, matriarch is often used to describe an elder woman who wields influence within a family or community, sometimes as a symbol of tradition and continuity. The term is gendered and its connotations can vary across cultures and contexts. See also matriarchy, matrilineal, elder.