1. A woman described in her role as head of a household, tribe, or as the mother of her children: As materfamilias, Mary was able to influence the decisions of the entire family.

According to tribal custom, the materfamilias gave the final decision whether to move the camp or not.

Shirley was a wonderful materfamilias of the family and all the children loved her.

As materfamilias, Margaret strived to provide her children with a healthy life and a moral upbringing.
2. Etymology: from Latin for "mother of the household". The term consists of mater, "mother" + familias, which comes from familia, "household"; from famulus, "servant, slave".