grandfather clause

noun

1. U.S. History. a clause in the constitutions of some Southern states after 1890 intended to permit white people to vote while disfranchising Black people: it exempted from new literacy and property qualifications for voting those men entitled to vote before 1867 and their lineal descendants.
2. any legal provision that exempts a business, class of persons, etc., from a new government regulation that would affect prior rights and privileges.

grandfather clause

noun

1. history a clause in the constitutions of several Southern states that waived electoral literacy requirements for lineal descendants of people voting before 1867, thus ensuring the franchise for illiterate White people: declared unconstitutional in 1915
2. a clause in legislation that forbids or regulates an activity so that those engaged in it are exempted from the ban

Word History and Origins

Origin of grandfather clause¹

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900

Example Sentences

The suit said that the teens, who are identified only by their initials, should be covered under that “grandfather clause” and allowed to continue receiving treatment.

From Seattle Times

Perceived ambiguity over the “vague” grandfather clause has led doctors to stop providing the care, Stewart said.

From Seattle Times

Supreme Court struck down what many states were using to keep Black people from voting — the grandfather clause.

From Seattle Times

But a grandfather clause allowed already-established stores to continue the practice.

From Seattle Times

Even “grandfather” and “grandfathered” are out because they have “roots in the ‘grandfather clause’ adopted by Southern states to deny voting rights to Blacks.”

From Washington Times