parent

[ pair-uhnt, par- ]

noun

1. a father or a mother.
2. an ancestor, precursor, or progenitor.
3. a source, origin, or cause.
4. a protector or guardian.
5. Biology. any organism that produces or generates another.
6. Physics. the first nuclide in a radioactive series.

adjective

1. being the original source:

   a parent organization.

2. Biology. pertaining to an organism, cell, or complex molecular structure that generates or produces another:

   parent cell;

   parent DNA.

verb (used with object)

1. to be or act as parent of:

   to parent children with both love and discipline.

parent

/ ˈpɛərənt /

noun

1. a father or mother
2. a person acting as a father or mother; guardian
3. rare.
   an ancestor
4. a source or cause
5. 1. an organism or organization that has produced one or more organisms or organizations similar to itself
   2. ( as modifier )

      a parent organism

6. physics chem
   1. a precursor, such as a nucleus or compound, of a derived entity
   2. ( as modifier )

      a parent ion

      a parent nucleus

Derived Forms

• ˈparenthood, noun

Other Words From

• parent·less adjective
• parent·like adjective
• non·parent noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of parent¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin parent-, stem of parēns, noun use of present participle of parere “to bring forth, breed”

Word History and Origins

Origin of parent¹

C15: via Old French from Latin parens parent, from parere to bring forth

Example Sentences

The father of Sara Sharif has told a jury he was the "worst parent on the planet".

From BBC

Blackpool South MP Chris Webb, himself a new parent, is calling for tighter pricing regulations on the sale of baby formula, amid concerns about rising costs and out-of-control marketing to new parents.

From BBC

Ben Collins, a former NBC News journalist who is chief executive of The Onion’s parent company, said on X: “We're planning on making a very stupid website.”

From BBC

It was the thrashings that Smyth was giving boys with a notorious table tennis bat, dubbed "TTB", that led a parent to the door of Coltart, who worked at a law practice in Zimbabwe's second city, Bulawayo.

From BBC

An Education Authority Northern Ireland spokesperson said: “Many factors may contribute to a parent’s decision to electively home educate their child.”

From BBC

Related Words

• father
• mother