pa‧tri‧arch‧y /ˈpeɪtriɑːki $ -ɑːr-/ noun (plural patriarchies) [uncountable and countable]

1. a social system in which men have all the power

2. a social system in which the oldest man rules his family and passes power and possessions on to his sons
⇒ matriarchy

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲