forefather

noun

fore·​fa·​ther ˈfȯr-ˌfä-t͟hər 

1

: ancestor sense 1a

2

: a person of an earlier period and common heritage

Synonyms of forefather

• ancestor
• grandfather
• father

Examples of forefather in a Sentence

our forefathers bought this farm, and our family has worked it for three generations

Recent Examples on the Web

Kelly was one of the most prominent Black fashion designers of the 1980s, and his peers included Willi Smith, known as a forefather of modern-day streetwear, and Dapper Dan, a beloved auteur of hip-hop haberdashery. —Bianca Betancourt, CNN Money, 2 June 2026

Our economic systems are not serving the people who live here, whose forefathers established this new republic, and our grandparents actualized the peak of its success. —Linh Tat, Oc Register, 4 May 2026

Moritz Grossmann was one of the forefathers of German watchmaking in Glashütte. —Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 30 Mar. 2026

The clubs, civic organizations and community events that once brought our forefathers together are largely fading away. —Judith Martin, Dallas Morning News, 10 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for forefather

• bother
• father
• godfather
• grandfather
• stepfather

Kids Definition

forefather

noun

fore·​fa·​ther ˈfō(ə)r-ˌfät͟h-ər 

ˈfȯ(ə)r-, 

-ˌfȧt͟h-

1

: ancestor sense 1

2

: a person of an earlier period and similar culture