adjective
- relating to or based on kinship with the mother or the female line
Usage: anthropology; sociology
Examples
- In matrilineal societies, children belong to their mother’s clan.
- The tribe follows a matrilineal system of inheritance.
- Her family name was passed down through the matrilineal line.
- Many Native American cultures have matrilineal traditions.
- The anthropologist studied matrilineal descent patterns.
- Property rights were determined by matrilineal succession.