patriarchal UK /ˌpeɪtɹiˈɑːkl̩/US /ˌpeɪtɹiˈɑɹkl̩/ adjective2 •Relating to a system run by males, rather than females; relating to a patriarchy. •Characteristic of a patriarch; venerable.About whose patriarchal knee / Late the little children clung. — 1852 formsmore patriarchal · most patriarchal