patriarchy
n. C / Un. a social system where men hold most of the power and influence in government, business, and family life.
n. a social system or structure in which power is primarily held by adult men, particularly in political leadership, moral authority, and control of property.
Many activists work to challenge the traditional patriarchy in modern society.
Sociologists study how the patriarchy influences career progression and wage gaps in corporate environments.
The transition from a traditional patriarchy to a more egalitarian social structure often involves significant legal reforms regarding inheritance, voting rights, and domestic autonomy.
From Latin patriarchia, from Byzantine Greek πατριαρχία (patriarkhía), from Koine Greek πατριάρχης (patriárkhēs, “patriarch”), from πατρία (patría) and ἄρχω (árkhō). By surface analysis, patri- + -archy.
Often used with the definite article ('the patriarchy') when referring to the abstract social system.