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 Surrender Director/Screenwriter: Julia Max, Producers: Mia Chang, Lovell Holder, Julia Max, Ian McDonald, Robert J. Ulrich
When the family patriarch dies, a grieving mother and daughter risk their lives to perform a brutal resurrection ritual that will bring him back from the dead.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2025
But when the Campbell patriarch dies and an unknown heir comes to claim the fortune, Skye and her family retreat to a seaside estate to sort out the mess.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 18 Jan. 2025
Do Guy Pearce and Felicity Jones play real people in 'The Brutalist?’
The film kicks into high gear with the introduction of Harrison Lee Van Buren (Guy Pearce), a pompous patriarch and industrialist who commissions Tóth to design an elaborate community center.
—Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2025
Hee-joo’s mom, former club singer Yeon-hu, marries Hong Il-kyung (Choi Kwang-il), the patriarch of a powerful media family, when Hee-joo is a child.
—Kayti Burt, TIME, 4 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for patriarch 
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Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2025
But when the Campbell patriarch dies and an unknown heir comes to claim the fortune, Skye and her family retreat to a seaside estate to sort out the mess.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 18 Jan. 2025
Do Guy Pearce and Felicity Jones play real people in 'The Brutalist?’
The film kicks into high gear with the introduction of Harrison Lee Van Buren (Guy Pearce), a pompous patriarch and industrialist who commissions Tóth to design an elaborate community center.
—Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2025
Hee-joo’s mom, former club singer Yeon-hu, marries Hong Il-kyung (Choi Kwang-il), the patriarch of a powerful media family, when Hee-joo is a child.
—Kayti Burt, TIME, 4 Jan. 2025
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 2 Feb. 2025.
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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