god·fa·ther
ˈgäd-ˌfä-t͟hər 
also ˈgȯd-
1
: a man who sponsors a person at baptism
2
: one having a relation to someone or something analogous to that of a male sponsor to his godchild: such as
a
: one that founds, supports, or inspires
made him the godfather of a whole generation of rebels—
The Times Literary Supplement (London)
The Times Literary Supplement (London)
b
: the leader of an organized crime syndicate
godfathered; godfathering; godfathers
: to act as godfather to
Examples of godfather in a Sentence
Noun
Her uncle is her godfather.
Many people regard him as the godfather of rock and roll.
Recent Examples on the Web
Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 30 Apr. 2025
The pair split in 2000, but Grant remained in her life as a godfather to Damian.
—Tommy McArdle, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Kim Masters, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 July 2022
Even the beginning is a little iffy: Where does godfather Drosselmeyer come from?
—John Anderson, WSJ, 9 Dec. 2021
See All Example Sentences for godfather
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.
Noun
Two centuries ago it was debuted by the godfather of watchmaking, Abraham-Louis Breguet as a pocket watch.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 30 Apr. 2025
The pair split in 2000, but Grant remained in her life as a godfather to Damian.
—Tommy McArdle, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
Murdoch’s political ally, godfather to one of Rupert’s young daughters with Deng – have to do with this?
—Kim Masters, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 July 2022
Even the beginning is a little iffy: Where does godfather Drosselmeyer come from?
—John Anderson, WSJ, 9 Dec. 2021
See All Example Sentences for godfather
Cite this Entry
“Godfather.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/godfather. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share