head of a family; patriarch; matriarch
Refers to the person who is the head or representative of a household, regardless of gender. Can be used in legal, historical, or everyday family contexts.
As the head of this family, he supports his family.
When the head of the family changes, the atmosphere of the household changes too.
Compound of 家 (house, family) and 長 (head, chief). The reading かちょう is the on'yomi of both kanji.