pa ‧ tri ‧ arch ‧ y /ˈpeɪtriɑːki $ -ɑːr-/ BrE AmE noun ( plural patriarchies ) [uncountable and countable]
1 . a social system in which men have all the power
2 . a social system in which the oldest man rules his family and passes power and possessions on to his sons
⇨ ↑ matriarchy