patriarch

noun

pa·​tri·​arch ˈpā-trē-ˌärk How to pronounce patriarch (audio)
1
a
: one of the scriptural fathers of the human race or of the Hebrew people
Abraham was a patriarch of the Israelites.
b
: a man who is father or founder
The newspaper patriarch celebrated his 90th birthday.
c(1)
: the oldest member or representative of a group
the cypress … is the patriarch of native trees, going back to the time of the dinosaurAmer. Guide Series: Texas
(2)
: a venerable old man
a whiskered patriarch, spry for his ageFrank Sullivan
d
: a man who is head of a patriarchy
2
a
: any of the bishops of the ancient or Eastern Orthodox sees of Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem or the ancient and Western see of Rome with authority over other bishops
b
: the head of any of various Eastern churches
c
: a Roman Catholic bishop next in rank to the pope with purely titular or with metropolitan (see metropolitan entry 2 sense 1) jurisdiction
3
: a Mormon of the Melchizedek priesthood empowered to perform the ordinances of the church and pronounce blessings within a stake or prescribed jurisdiction

Examples of patriarch in a Sentence

Our grandfather was the family's patriarch. The tribe's patriarch ruled for 20 years before his death.
Recent Examples on the Web Eugene played patriarch Johnny Rose, Catherine portrayed his wife Moira Rose, while Dan and Annie played their children David and Alexis Rose. Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2024 When the wealthy patriarch of the Dashwood household dies, the Dashwood women must leave their extravagant and glorious abode and take up residence in a very modest cottage in Devonshire. Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 28 Feb. 2024 Domingo admits that the thought of portraying the polarizing patriarch of the family — accused by some of his children of abuse — didn't weigh on him so much as present an interesting challenge as an actor. Gerrad Hall, EW.com, 19 Feb. 2024 Indeed, the Jackson family patriarch — who died in 2018 at age 89 — was a stern parent who had a complicated relationship with his 11 children. Eric Andersson, Peoplemag, 22 Feb. 2024 Much later, he became known as the (spiritual and, incidentally, actual) father of Bibi, the current Israeli Prime Minister, and as, in Bibi’s retelling, the patriarch of American-Israeli relations. Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 15 Feb. 2024 Jaafar stars in the film alongside Nia Long, set to play Katherine Jackson, and Oscar nominee Colman Domingo, who is set to play the controversial Jackson family patriarch, Joe Jackson. Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 13 Feb. 2024 Just the promise of a singing and dancing Michael Shannon, who plays the family patriarch, should be enough to get buyers on board. Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Feb. 2024 Deadline previously reported last November that the cast will include a patriarch, a female corporate executive, an actress, and several mothers, including a country club wife, a misfit, and a yogi. Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 12 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'patriarch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English patriarche, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin patriarcha, from Greek patriarchēs, from patria lineage (from patr-, patēr father) + -archēs -arch — more at father

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of patriarch was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near patriarch

Cite this Entry

“Patriarch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patriarch. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

patriarch

noun
pa·​tri·​arch ˈpā-trē-ˌärk How to pronounce patriarch (audio)
1
a
: one of the Old Testament fathers of the human race or of the Hebrew people
b
: the father and ruler of a family or tribe
c
: an old man deserving respect
2
: any of various bishops of highest rank and dignity
patriarchal
ˌpā-trē-ˈär-kəl
adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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