patriarchy

pa·tri·ar·chy  (ptr-ärk)

n. pl. pa·tri·ar·chies In both senses also called patriarchate.

1. A social system in which the father is the head of the family and men have authority over women and children.

2. A family, community, or society based on this system or governed by men.

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patriarchy

Noun

1. a form of social organization in which males hold most of the power

2. pl -chies a society governed by such a system

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patriarchy

1. a community in which the father or oldest male is the supreme authority, and descent is traced through the male line.
2. government by males, with one as supreme. — patriarchist, n. — patri-archic, patriarchical, adj.

See also: Male

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1. a community in which the father or oldest male is the supreme authority in the family, clan, or tribe, and descent is traced through the male line.
2. government by males, with one as supreme. — patriarchist, n. — patri-archic, patriarchical, adj.

See also: Father

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a society organized to give supremacy to the father or the oldest male in governing a family, tribe, or clan. — patriarch, n.

See also: Government

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

patriarchy - a form of social organization in which a male is the family head and title is traced through the male line patriarchate social organisation, social organization, social structure, social system, structure - the people in a society considered as a system organized by a characteristic pattern of relationships; "the social organization of England and America is very different"; "sociologists have studied the changing structure of the family"