founding father

noun

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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Written and composed by Miranda with direction by Thomas Kail, the musical — which blends hip-hop, R&B, and classical musical theater to tell the story of founding father Alexander Hamilton — was an immediate hit, and remains one of the hottest tickets on Broadway. Sharareh Drury, People.com, 9 June 2025 It’s been 250 years since the start of the American Revolution, and the extent to which our nation has matured into a continent-spanning world power has, no doubt, exceeded the founding fathers’ wildest dreams. Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 June 2025 The show, which is about the rise and fall of founding father on the 10 dollar bill, Alexander Hamilton and has a hip-hop twist on the music, debuted on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in 2015. Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 29 May 2025 North Carolina native and James Beard award-winning chef Vivian Howard is behind The Sanderling’s signature restaurant, named Theodosia after the daughter of founding father Aaron Burr. Regan Stephens, Travel + Leisure, 27 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for founding father

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of founding father was in 1892

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Founding father.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/founding%20father. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!