patriarch
noun
pa·tri·arch
ˈpā-trē-ˌärk 
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 dinosaur—
Amer. Guide Series: Texas
Amer. Guide Series: Texas
(2)
: a venerable old man
a whiskered patriarch, spry for his age—Frank Sullivan
Frank 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
The speculation was first reported by Miss Tweed, a luxury news outlet that LVMH patriarch Bernard Arnault banned his staff from talking to earlier this year.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 5 Nov. 2024
Kimmie is befriended by the patriarch of the Bellaire family, Horace (Ricco Ross), and grows close to his son, Roy (Julian Horton).
—Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024
Good Middle Names for Boys Parents often choose a middle name for their son that has a specific meaning, honors a patriarch in the family, or simply flows nicely with the first name.
—Sherri Gordon, Clc, Parents, 16 Oct. 2024
But her staunch drive toward self-determination in the face of the powerful patriarchs — both human and supernatural — who seek to bend her to their will is remarkable.
—Katie Rife, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for patriarch 
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Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 5 Nov. 2024
Kimmie is befriended by the patriarch of the Bellaire family, Horace (Ricco Ross), and grows close to his son, Roy (Julian Horton).
—Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024
Good Middle Names for Boys Parents often choose a middle name for their son that has a specific meaning, honors a patriarch in the family, or simply flows nicely with the first name.
—Sherri Gordon, Clc, Parents, 16 Oct. 2024
But her staunch drive toward self-determination in the face of the powerful patriarchs — both human and supernatural — who seek to bend her to their will is remarkable.
—Katie Rife, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for patriarch
Dictionary Entries Near patriarch
Cite this Entry
“Patriarch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patriarch. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
patriarch
noun
pa·tri·arch
ˈpā-trē-ˌärk
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
adjective
ˌpā-trē-ˈär-kəl
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