matrilineal
adjective
ma·tri·lin·eal ˌma-trə-ˈli-nē-əl 
ˌmā-
: relating to, based on, or tracing descent through the maternal line
matrilineal society
matrilineally
ˌma-trə-ˈli-nē-ə-lē
adverb ˌmā-
Did you know?
A person's lineage is his or her line of ancestors. So matrilineal means basically "through the mother's line", just as patrilineal means "through the father's line". Matrilineality is an important concept in anthropology; among other things, it usually determines who will inherit property on a person's death. Though families that follow the European model take the father's name and are therefore patrilineal, matrilineal societies have existed around the world, including among various American Indian tribes.
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web In 2018, a hair found on Tair’s body was shown to be a match for Habany’s mitochondrial DNA (which is matrilineal), setting off a frenzy of speculation online and in the press. 
New York Times, 5 Aug. 2022 This female hyena also gets erections and is larger, more aggressive than the male hyenas and lives in matrilineal clans of up to 80 individuals governed by an alpha female matriarch. Katie Hunt, CNN, 12 June 2022 Our goal was to show that Kamala's real power is being from this matrilineal line of four generations of women. Christian Holub, EW.com, 15 July 2022 Naming a daughter after a mother isn’t a modern phenomenon; in some cultures, the tradition of matrilineal naming goes back centuries. Maggie Mertens, The Atlantic, 29 Apr. 2022 The show will always be a measure of a hero’s journey, matrilineal resolution by virtue of its largest pieces. Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Apr. 2022 As Meilin soon learns, turning into a red panda is an ancient, matrilineal Chinese curse. Jane Hu, The New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2022 The foundation has been strictly matrilineal: Ms. Coly’s mother, Eileen Coly — the only survivor of Ms. Garrett’s three children; two sons had died young — assumed the role of president of the foundation upon Ms. Garrett’s death in 1970. New York Times, 23 Mar. 2022 But Miriam wants Joan to follow their matrilineal tradition and enter the medical field. Leah Tyler, ajc, 21 Mar. 2022 See More
New York Times, 5 Aug. 2022 This female hyena also gets erections and is larger, more aggressive than the male hyenas and lives in matrilineal clans of up to 80 individuals governed by an alpha female matriarch. Katie Hunt, CNN, 12 June 2022 Our goal was to show that Kamala's real power is being from this matrilineal line of four generations of women. Christian Holub, EW.com, 15 July 2022 Naming a daughter after a mother isn’t a modern phenomenon; in some cultures, the tradition of matrilineal naming goes back centuries. Maggie Mertens, The Atlantic, 29 Apr. 2022 The show will always be a measure of a hero’s journey, matrilineal resolution by virtue of its largest pieces. Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Apr. 2022 As Meilin soon learns, turning into a red panda is an ancient, matrilineal Chinese curse. Jane Hu, The New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2022 The foundation has been strictly matrilineal: Ms. Coly’s mother, Eileen Coly — the only survivor of Ms. Garrett’s three children; two sons had died young — assumed the role of president of the foundation upon Ms. Garrett’s death in 1970. New York Times, 23 Mar. 2022 But Miriam wants Joan to follow their matrilineal tradition and enter the medical field. Leah Tyler, ajc, 21 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1904, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
matrilineal
adjective
ma·tri·lin·eal ˌma-trə-ˈlin-ē-əl ˌmā-
ˌmā- : relating to, based on, or tracing descent through the maternal line
a matrilineal society