ma ‧ tri ‧ ar ‧ chy /ˈmeɪtriɑːki $ -ɑːr-/ BrE AmE noun ( plural matriarchies ) [uncountable and countable]
1 . a social system in which the oldest woman controls a family and its possessions ⇨ patriarchy
2 . a society in which women hold all the power ⇨ patriarchy