Patriarchal animals. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers Patriarchal systems often restrict women's access to education, economic resources, and positions of power and leadership within society. He acknowledges the existence of patriarchal power. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. A patriarchal society, family, or system is one in which the men have all or most of the power and importance. 2. Definition of patriarchal adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. . 3. Learn more. relating to a patriarchy, or to the idea that men are more…. PATRIARCHAL definition: 1. To feminists she is a classic victim of the patriarchal society. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers 1. Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. The meaning of PATRIARCHAL is of, relating to, or being a patriarch or patriarchy. Feb 27, 2026 · patriarchy, hypothetical social system in which the father or a male elder has absolute authority over the family group; by extension, one or more men (as in a council) exert absolute authority over the community as a whole. Apr 8, 2025 · At its core, the patriarchy is a system of social, political, and economic organization in which men hold the majority of power and influence. Jan 20, 2026 · Relating to a system run by males, rather than females; relating to a patriarchy. ruled or controlled by men: 2. Ruled by a patriarch: a patriarchal see. The meaning of PATRIARCHAL is of, relating to, or being a patriarch or patriarchy. How to use patriarchal in a sentence. 1. Formal job occupations outside of the home, traditionally carried out by men in a patriarchal society, are paid labor. There are seven meanings listed in OED's entry for the adjective patriarchal. Patriarchal systems often restrict women's access to education, economic resources, and positions of power and leadership within society. Of, relating to, or characteristic of a patriarch. This system privileges men over women and other gender minorities, creating unequal power dynamics. Patriarchy intersects with other systems of oppression, such as racism and classism, to compound the marginalization of certain groups. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. Men are traditionally viewed as the breadwinners in a patriarchal society, and women are seen as homemakers. Of or relating to a patriarchy: a patriarchal social system. OED's earliest evidence for patriarchal is from around 1450, in the writing of John Capgrave, prior of Bishop's Lynn, theologian, and historian. jtuo vfaja ncr dlgxk uasrcxn nlsoxz kgizag dkvbdxp ehe sgweurk