noun
patriarch
PAYT-rih-ahk
noun
1
A senior bishop who ranks above others, especially in Orthodox or Catholic church hierarchy.
"The patriarch of Constantinople is a leading figure in Eastern Orthodox Christianity."
2
The male head of a family, tribe, or community, especially a respected elder.
"As the family patriarch, he still had the final say on major decisions."
"The novel follows three generations descended from the same patriarch."
3
The founder of a movement, organization, or tradition.
"He is often called the patriarch of modern jazz guitar."
How to Use Patriarch
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA senior male leader — of a church, a family, or a whole tradition.
Common pairings
family patriarch
church patriarch
aging patriarch
Word Forms
patriarchs plural
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The _____ of Constantinople is a leading figure in Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
Etymology
From Greek patriarkhēs, built from patria ("family, lineage") plus -arkhēs ("ruler"), so literally "ruler of the family."