founding father

noun

1

: an originator of an institution or movement : founder

2

often Founding Father : a leading figure in the founding of the U.S.

specifically : a member of the American Constitutional Convention of 1787

Synonyms of founding father

• founder
• creator
• father

Examples of founding father in a Sentence

a tribute to Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and the other Founding Fathers

Theodor Herzl is often credited as the founding father of modern Zionism.

Recent Examples on the Web

What is rarely recounted is the key role played in that coup by two leading ayatollahs—Abol-Qasem Kashani and Mohammad Behbahani—who were heroes and mentors to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founding father of the Islamic Republic. —Bobby Ghosh, Time, 5 Mar. 2026

Video shows Iranians topple Khomeini monument An eyewitness video is circulating showing crowds taking down a monument to Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founding father of the Islamic Republic. —Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 2 Mar. 2026

O'Donnell kicks things off with America's founding document – the one declaring independence and bearing the names of 56 founding fathers … and one very brave woman. —Mo Rocca, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2026

This is not the America our founding fathers envisioned — not one where journalists face arrest for covering protests and holding power accountable. —Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 21 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for founding father

• bother
• forefather
• godfather
• grandfather
• stepfather

Kids Definition

founding father

noun

found·​ing father

ˈfau̇n-diŋ-

1

: one that starts or helps to start an institution or a movement

2

often capitalized : a leading figure in the founding of the U.S.

Legal Definition

founding father

noun

found·​ing fa·​ther

often capitalized both Fs

: a leading figure in the founding of the U.S.

specifically : a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1787