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

The beer company is launching the Brewer Patriot Collection, a lineup of four distinct beers each inspired by one of the founding fathers. —Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026

Founding Fathers will go from the stirrings of revolution to the long and bloody fight for independence, and on into the early years of the American republic. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 18 May 2026

Its goal is to undo the founding fathers' vision of India as a secular country, home to people with many faiths. —Rob Schmitz, NPR, 25 Apr. 2026

Over a year after their podcast Plan Bri Uncut ended, LaPaglia blames Call Her Daddy’s founding father, Alex Cooper, for the nail in the coffin for her friendship with O’Malley. —Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 21 Apr. 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