matriarch
nounfeminine/mɐ.tɾi.ˈaɾ.kɐ/medium
ma·tri·ar·ca
Definitions
-1A woman who is the head or the figure of greatest authority in a family, tribe, or community.
The grandmother was the undisputed matriarch of that large family.
In that society, the matriarch made all the important decisions.
Common collocations
matriarch figurefamily matriarchtribal matriarch
1A woman who exercises authority or leadership in a family, group, or society, especially in a matriarchal structure.
My grandmother was the undisputed matriarch of our large family.
In that tribe, power succession was determined by the matriarch.
Common collocations
family matriarchrole of matriarchmatriarch's authority
Etymology
Do latim 'matriarcha', por sua vez do grego 'mḗtēr' (mãe) + 'árkhō' (comandar).