founding father

founding father

noun

Definition of FOUNDING FATHER

1

: an originator of an institution or movement : founder

2

often capitalized both Fs : a leading figure in the founding of the United States; specifically : a member of the American Constitutional Convention of 1787

Examples of FOUNDING FATHER

1. a tribute to Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and the other Founding Fathers
2. <Theodor Herzl is often credited as the founding father of modern Zionism.>

First Known Use of FOUNDING FATHER

1914

Related to FOUNDING FATHER

Synonyms: author, begetter, creator, establisher, founder, father, generator, inaugurator, initiator, instituter (or institutor), originator, sire

Related Words: cocreator, cofounder; conceiver, contriver, designer, deviser, formulator, innovator, introducer, inventor, spawner; builder, maker, producer; developer, pioneer, researcher, researchist; organizer, promoter; encourager, galvanizer, inspiration, inspirer

Near Antonyms: disciple, follower, pupil, student, supporter

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Rhymes with FOUNDING FATHER

city father, Holy Father