Gynocracy refers to a political system or society governed by women. Synonyms for this word include matriarchy, matrilineality, and gynecocracy. Matriarchy is the most common synonym for gynocracy, and it denotes a family, social or political system that is headed by a mother or a female ancestor. Matrilineality, on the other hand, refers to a social structure where descent is traced through the mother's line, and inheritance is passed through the female line of the family. Gynecocracy is a synonym that is less commonly used, but it denotes a society or organization where women hold power and authority over men.