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

Noun

• ancestor
• father
• forebear
• forbear
• forebearer
• forefather
• primogenitor
• progenitor

Examples of grandfather in a Sentence

Noun

this tradition has been passed down from our pioneer grandfathers

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The night's end took a serious turn when Jost paid homage to his late grandfather, who the comedian said voted for Biden. —Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 28 Apr. 2024

At his side, King Frederik carried a naval officer’s saber that belonged to his late grandfather, Queen Margrethe’s father King Frederik IX. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? —Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 25 Apr. 2024

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

Kids Definition

grandfather

noun

grand·​fa·​ther

ˈgran(d)-ˌfät͟h-ər

1

: the father of one's father or mother

2

: ancestor sense 1

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