1
a
: a married woman usually marked by dignified maturity or social distinction (see distinction sense 4a)
b
: a woman who supervises women or children (as in a school or police station)
c
: the chief officer in a women's organization
2
: a female animal kept for breeding
Examples of matron in a Sentence
society matrons who organize benefits for charity
the matron of a school for girls
Recent Examples on the Web
In the book, Nica and Rigel often talk about their complicated history with the matron from their childhood, Margaret Stoker.
—
Rebecca Aizin, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024
One was a prison matron who had the voice of a pro.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2024
Reports show Winfrey flew back to South Africa, took action to address the issue and fired the school’s headmistress and all dorm matrons.
—USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2024
The matron hands off a large bottle with three glasses.
—Bryan Washington, The New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2023
Songwriters, agents, managers, prison matrons, nuns, saints, satins, dresses, spotlights, doorsteps, songs, drugs—all white.
—Elizabeth Barber, Harper's Magazine, 2 Feb. 2024
But this is challenged when the school’s matron divides them.
—Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Jan. 2024
Snooty Agnes Van Rhijn (Christine Baranski) — one of the city's most formidable old-money matrons — is appalled that her independent-minded niece, Marian (Louisa Jacobson), has taken a job (gasp!) teaching art at a local girls' school.
—EW.com, 27 Oct. 2023
Lana asked the police matron, who stared back with a blank expression on her face.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, Peoplemag, 28 Jan. 2024
Rebecca Aizin, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2024
One was a prison matron who had the voice of a pro.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2024
Reports show Winfrey flew back to South Africa, took action to address the issue and fired the school’s headmistress and all dorm matrons.
—USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2024
The matron hands off a large bottle with three glasses.
—Bryan Washington, The New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2023
Songwriters, agents, managers, prison matrons, nuns, saints, satins, dresses, spotlights, doorsteps, songs, drugs—all white.
—Elizabeth Barber, Harper's Magazine, 2 Feb. 2024
But this is challenged when the school’s matron divides them.
—Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Jan. 2024
Snooty Agnes Van Rhijn (Christine Baranski) — one of the city's most formidable old-money matrons — is appalled that her independent-minded niece, Marian (Louisa Jacobson), has taken a job (gasp!) teaching art at a local girls' school.
—EW.com, 27 Oct. 2023
Lana asked the police matron, who stared back with a blank expression on her face.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, Peoplemag, 28 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'matron.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near matron
Cite this Entry
“Matron.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/matron. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
matron
noun
ma·tron
ˈmā-trən 
1
: a usually mature and dignified married woman
2
: a woman in charge of the household affairs of an institution
3
: a woman who supervises women prisoners in a police station or jail
Medical Definition
matron
noun
ma·tron
ˈmā-trən
British
: a woman superintendent of a medical institution (as a hospital)
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