Definition of patriarchal adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. Patriarchal means having to do with a patriarch or a society in which men have all or most of the power and importance. Learn how to use this word in sentences and compare it with related terms. Patriarchy is a concept that has shaped societies around the world for centuries, often remaining invisible in plain sight while deeply influencing the structures of power, privilege, and oppression. While its origins are frequently traced back to ancient civilizations, the term has evolved over time, especially through the lens of feminist theory. Feminists have helped reframe patriarchy from merely a male-dominated social structure to a deeply entrenched system that shapes every aspect of ... 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. Building on the theories of biological evolution developed by Charles
