CultureJuly 9, 2026
matriarch
/ˈmeɪ.tri.ɑːrk/
Definition
A woman who is the head of a family, clan, or tradition, particularly one who holds significant authority or guards cultural and culinary legacies.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin 'mater' (mother) and the Greek 'archē' (rule or beginning). It entered English in the 17th century to describe a woman who exercises governing power over a family or social group.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe Helene An, the foundational figure of a family restaurant dynasty who fiercely protects the secret recipes that define her family’s legacy.
America Isn't A Melting Pot — And Our Best Food Proves It
Read the full article ↗HuffPost