patriarchy
noun
pa·tri·ar·chy ˈpā-trē-ˌär-kē 
plural patriarchies
1
: social organization marked by the supremacy of the father in the clan or family, the legal dependence of wives and children, and the reckoning of descent and inheritance in the male line
broadly : control by men of a disproportionately large share of power
2
: a society or institution organized according to the principles or practices of patriarchy
For 20 years the country was ruled as a patriarchy.
Example Sentences
For 20 years, the country was ruled as a patriarchy. a region in which patriarchy is practiced
Recent Examples on the Web No doubt Sontag would have recognized that the series’ Anglophile novelty (despite rampant contempt for Western patriarchy) also plays into the inferiority complex that still oppresses Americans. 
Armond White, National Review, 24 Aug. 2022 For decades, women have fought for equal rights and independence from the oppression of male supremacy and patriarchy. Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2022 Celebrating these women — as opposed to bashing the patriarchy or spiraling into negativity — was key for the Clintons. Clarissa Cruz, EW.com, 23 Aug. 2022 Each offers forensic evidence of patriarchy on parade, along with all the other forces of domination. Immy Humes, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Aug. 2022 Now what are the odds of having a crossover series where all these female forces come together to dismantle the patriarchy? Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 26 July 2022 Until then, exhibitions exclusively highlighting women artists remain a necessary tool in fighting a patriarchy over 500 years in the making among art museums and collectors, and much longer than that across humanity. Chadd Scott, Forbes, 24 July 2022 Carey Mulligan refuses to quit until the patriarchy is overthrown. Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 14 July 2022 From women who were labeled witches and heretics, to the classical characters written by men to perpetuate the patriarchy, the nearly two dozen paintings tell a disheartening but nonetheless of inspiring story. San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 July 2022 See More
Armond White, National Review, 24 Aug. 2022 For decades, women have fought for equal rights and independence from the oppression of male supremacy and patriarchy. Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2022 Celebrating these women — as opposed to bashing the patriarchy or spiraling into negativity — was key for the Clintons. Clarissa Cruz, EW.com, 23 Aug. 2022 Each offers forensic evidence of patriarchy on parade, along with all the other forces of domination. Immy Humes, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Aug. 2022 Now what are the odds of having a crossover series where all these female forces come together to dismantle the patriarchy? Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 26 July 2022 Until then, exhibitions exclusively highlighting women artists remain a necessary tool in fighting a patriarchy over 500 years in the making among art museums and collectors, and much longer than that across humanity. Chadd Scott, Forbes, 24 July 2022 Carey Mulligan refuses to quit until the patriarchy is overthrown. Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 14 July 2022 From women who were labeled witches and heretics, to the classical characters written by men to perpetuate the patriarchy, the nearly two dozen paintings tell a disheartening but nonetheless of inspiring story. San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 July 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1