grandfather

1 of 2

noun

grand·​fa·​ther ˈgran(d)-ˌfä-t͟hər 

1

a

: the father of one's father or mother

b

: ancestor sense 1a

2

: granddaddy sense 2

grandfatherly

ˈgran(d)-ˌfä-t͟hər-lē 

adjective

grandfather

2 of 2

verb

grandfathered; grandfathering; grandfathers

transitive verb

: to permit to continue under a grandfather clause

Synonyms of grandfather

Noun

• father
• ancestor

Examples of grandfather in a Sentence

Noun

this tradition has been passed down from our pioneer grandfathers

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Sturdivant did actually set out for a neighbor’s house armed with a hammer and a knife but was restrained by his grandfather, the affidavit says. —Dallas Morning News, 2 Jan. 2026

The suspect's grandfather works at a grocery store and is a Christian Minister in the Charlotte area, according to court records. —Luke Barr, ABC News, 2 Jan. 2026

Verb

Johnson said that the policy was sent to residents as a reminder and to offer them the ability to grandfather in pets who are over the weight limit. —Nora O’Neill 8, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2025

The House bill, introduced by GOP Reps. King and Roy Klopfenstein, would grandfather in those already here. —Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1953, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing grandfather

• grandfather clause
• grandfather clock

Rhymes for grandfather

• forefather
• godfather
• stepfather
• bother
• father

Kids Definition

grandfather

1 of 2 noun

grand·​fa·​ther ˈgran(d)-ˌfät͟h-ər 

1

: the father of one's father or mother

2

: ancestor sense 1

grandfather

2 of 2 verb

grandfathered; grandfathering

: to permit to continue under a grandfather clause

Legal Definition

grandfather

transitive verb

grand·​fa·​ther

: to permit to continue under a grandfather clause

current residents will be grandfathered under the regulation

—often used with in