matrilineage: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, academic
Quick answer
What does “matrilineage” mean?
A line of descent or kinship traced exclusively through the female line.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A line of descent or kinship traced exclusively through the female line.
A social or anthropological grouping where ancestry, inheritance, or identity is determined by one's mother and maternal forebears. Often contrasted with patrilineage.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage between British and American English. The spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Neutral, descriptive term within technical/scholarly discourse. Associated with discussions of family structure, cultural norms, and inheritance laws.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general language, confined almost entirely to academic texts in relevant disciplines.
Grammar
How to Use “matrilineage” in a Sentence
The [noun] follows/traces/is determined by a matrilineage.She belongs to the [adjective] matrilineage.Inheritance passes through the matrilineage.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Core term in anthropology, gender studies, history, and sociology. Used to describe kinship structures in specific cultures (e.g., Minangkabau, Navaho, Ashanti).
Everyday
Extremely rare; would likely be replaced by simpler phrasing like "on his/her mother's side".
Technical
Precise term in genealogical, anthropological, and genetic studies (e.g., mitochondrial DNA studies trace a genetic matrilineage).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “matrilineage”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “matrilineage”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “matrilineage”
- Using it as an adjective (incorrect: 'matrilineage society'; correct: 'matrilineal society').
- Confusing it with 'matriarchy' (rule by women).
- Misspelling as 'matriliniage' or 'matrilinage'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Matrilineage refers to tracing descent through the female line. Matriarchy refers to a social system where women hold primary power and leadership roles. A society can be matrilineal without being matriarchal.
Yes. The Minangkabau people of Indonesia are one of the world's largest matrilineal societies. Property, such as land and homes, is inherited through the matrilineage from mother to daughter.
The direct opposite is patrilineage, where descent, inheritance, and family identity are traced exclusively through the male line.
No, it is a specialised academic term. In everyday conversation, people would say 'on my mother's side of the family' or 'my mother's lineage' instead.
A line of descent or kinship traced exclusively through the female line.
Matrilineage is usually formal, academic in register.
Matrilineage: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmætrɪˈlɪniɪdʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmætrəˌlɪniɪdʒ/ or /ˌmeɪtrəˈlɪniɪdʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of MATRIARCH (a female leader) + LINEAGE (family line) = MATRILINEAGE, the family line through the mothers.
Conceptual Metaphor
LINE OF DESCENT IS A PATH (traced, followed). ANCESTRY IS A CHAIN (links through mothers).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the best definition of 'matrilineage'?