parent

1 of 2

noun

par·​ent ˈper-ənt 

1

a

: one that begets or brings forth offspring

just became parents of twins

b

: a person who brings up and cares for another

foster parents

2

a

: an animal or plant that is regarded in relation to its offspring

The parent brings food to the chicks.

b

: the material or source from which something is derived

Latin is the parent of several languages.

c

: a group from which another arises and to which it usually remains subsidiary

a parent company

parent adjective

parental

pə-ˈren-tᵊl 

adjective

parentally

pə-ˈren-tᵊl-ē 

adverb

parentless

ˈper-ənt-ləs 

adjective

parent

2 of 2

verb

parented; parenting; parents

transitive verb

: to be or act as the parent of : originate, produce

intransitive verb

: to be or act as a parent

Examples of parent in a Sentence

Noun

My parents live in New York.

The form must be signed by a parent or guardian of the child.

The parent brings food to the chicks.

The new plant will have characteristics of both parent plants.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The prayer or reading of religious text must be away from other students whose parents haven’t consented, according to the bill. —Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 May 2025

Reports Miller told Fox Carolina that the parents didn’t demonstrate any emotion when they were arrested. —Latoya Gayle, People.com, 23 May 2025

Verb

Ester is dealing with very particular circumstances on top of this, managing her son’s experience of the world in a way that is different from the majority experience of parenting a teenager. —Catherine Bray, Variety, 24 May 2025

Every year, Parents enlists the help of industry experts, real world testers, and our parenting pro editors to bring you our annual Best for Baby Awards. —Kimberly Zapata, Parents, 22 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin parent-, parens "father or mother, progenitor, ancestor," probably from an aorist participle of parere "to give birth to, bring into being, produce" — more at parturient entry 1

Verb

derivative of parent entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1663, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing parent

• adoptive parent
• biological parent
• birth parent
• foster parent
• helicopter parent
• parent-in-law
• parent-teacher association
• single parent

Rhymes for parent

• errant
• aberrant
• apparent
• declarant
• grandparent
• stepparent
• transparent
• semitransparent

Kids Definition

parent

noun

par·​ent

ˈpar-ənt,

ˈper-

1

a

: one that is a father or mother

b

: an animal or plant that produces offspring

2

: the original source of something

parent adjective

parenthood

-ˌhu̇d

noun

Medical Definition

parent

noun

par·​ent ˈpar-ənt, ˈper- 

1

: one that begets or brings forth offspring

2

: the material or source from which something is derived

parent adjective

parental

pə-ˈrent-ᵊl 

adjective

Legal Definition

parent

noun

par·​ent

1

a

: a person who begets or brings forth offspring

especially : the natural parents of a child born of their marriage

b

: a person who legally adopts a child

c

: a person or entity that owes to a child a legally imposed duty of support

d

: a stepparent where designated by statute

2

: an entity or group that gives rise to or acquires another usually subsidiary entity or group

a parent company

specifically : a corporation that owns a required minimum percentage of the stock of another corporation compare affiliate

parent adjective

parental

pə-ˈren-təl 

adjective

parentally adverb