grandma

noun

grand·​ma ˈgran(d)-ˌmä How to pronounce grandma (audio)
-ˌmȯ;
ˈgra-ˌmä How to pronounce grandma (audio)
-ˌmȯ
plural grandmas
informal
: the mother of one's father or mother : grandmother
We took the kids to visit their grandma and grandpa.
often used as a form of address
"Grandma," I said, "is trapping fish legal in this state?"Richard Peck

Examples of grandma in a Sentence

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.
Talked to them like my grandma taught me. Sofía Pereda, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025 Have a House to Yourselves The Crystal Coast is the ideal destination for a family getaway, and everyone from grandma to the newest grandbaby can enjoy time at one of the many spaces available through Spinnaker's Reach Realty or Emerald Isle Realty. Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2025 Thousands of dollars stolen from a doting grandma. Paul Solotaroff, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2025 All of the grandkids consider my mom and stepdad grandma and grandpa. Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for grandma

Word History

First Known Use

1772, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of grandma was in 1772

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grandma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grandma. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on grandma

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!