founding father

noun

|Updated on: 5 Jun 2018

Examples: founding father in a Sentence

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 U.S.; specifically : a member of the American Constitutional Convention of 1787

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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 of founding father from the Web

Gifford’s, named after Elgin founding father James T. Gifford, is planned as a casual restaurant serving upscale comfort food and bar.

— mike danahey, Elgin Courier-News, "Elgin council OKs liquor license for Gifford's despite legal fight involving owner," 10 May 2018
Considered a founding father of trap music, Zaytoven went on to work with some of the biggest artists today, including Nicki Minaj, Future, Migos and Usher.

— ashley lyle, Billboard, "Zaytoven Redefines Trap Music in Latest 'The Note' Documentary From Red Bull Music," 20 Apr. 2018
The two most public founding fathers of the franchise — Phil Rawlins and Adrian Heath — are gone.

— mike bianchi, Pro Soccer USA, "Gritty 10-man Orlando City makes statement with D.C. United draw," 3 Mar. 2018
The gravesites date back to 1870 and include those of Tamina’s founding fathers, such as Easley’s grandfather, Romie Hollins Sr., whose names can be found on street signs of the post-Civil War Freedman’s settlement.

— meagan ellsworth, The Seattle Times, "Houston-area cemetery submerged after upkeep issues, Harvey," 24 Jan. 2018
Created by the heritage skin-care brand's second-generation founding father in the '60s, this particular product has become particularly beloved by customers across the world.

— rebecca norris, Allure, "Kiehl's Sells a Bottle of Its Calendula Toner Every 12 Seconds," 3 May 2018
The hair was believed to have been given to James A. Hamilton, the third son of the founding father Alexander Hamilton, by his mother, Eliza Schuyler Hamilton.

— rick rojas, New York Times, "Finding a Lock of George Washington’s Hair, and a Link to American History," 18 Feb. 2018
Halas became a founding father of the NFL, and Thorpe joined him.

— dom amore, courant.com, "Tim Tebow Comes To Hartford: Baseball Has Long Been Fascinated With Football Heroes," 6 May 2018
The students, who are our focus, will learn that the founding fathers of Texas were not Stephen F. Austin and his group in 1821.

— scott huddleston, San Antonio Express-News, "San Pedro Springs event Tuesday to recall founding of original mission," 30 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'founding father.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of founding father

1886

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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founding father Synonyms

FOUNDING FATHER Defined for English Language Learners

founding father

noun

Definition of founding father for English Language Learners

: a person who helps to create or establish something : a person who founds something
: a man who had an important part in creating the government of the U.S.; specifically : a member of the American Constitutional Convention of 1787