in loco parentis

adverb

in lo·co pa·ren·tis | \in-ˈlō-kō-pə-ˈren-təs

Definition of in loco parentis

(Entry 1 of 2)

: in the place of a parent school officials acting in loco parentis

in loco parentis

noun

Definition of in loco parentis (Entry 2 of 2)

: regulation or supervision by an administrative body (as at a university) acting in loco parentis

Examples of in loco parentis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Acting in loco parentis and under orders from the federal government, administrators form de facto star chambers that act as judge, jury and executioner, without adhering to legal rules of evidence or due process. — Nina Burleigh, Newsweek, "The Battle Against ‘Hate Speech’ on College Campuses Gives Rise to a Generation That Hates Speech," 26 May 2016 The case significantly weakened the principle of in loco parentis, the legal idea that the school serves in place of the parent while a student is in attendance, and can thus absorb some of a child’s personal rights. — Olivia B. Waxman, Time, "Here's What Happened When the Supreme Court Ruled on Whether Students Can Protest During School," 23 Feb. 2018 Their grievances ran the gamut from the universities’ in loco parentis positions (in the U.K.) to student unionization (in Holland). — Lily Rothman, Time, "50 Years Ago This Week: Bob Hope Goes to Vietnam," 18 Dec. 2017 Blurred Lines is probably intended as a book for worried parents and others—like administrative professionals—who are worried by the changing stakes of in loco parentis caretaking of young people today. — Josephine Livingstone, New Republic, "The Generational Divide on Campus Rape," 2 Oct. 2017 This is based on the tradition of in loco parentis when the college serves as parent substitutes while the student is enrolled. — WSJ, "Justice for All, Except Male College Students," 11 July 2017

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