| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷|ärkəl, -ȧk- adjective
1. : of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a matriarch or matriarchy
matriarchal authority
one of those speeches, both candid and matriarchal which enables one to understand why the nation adored her — Milton Waldman
2. : showing the influence of, depending on, or dominated by a matriarch or matriarchy
a matriarchal people
the ancient matriarchal system of government and ownership — E.A.Holt
a matriarchal form of society