grandfather

[ gran-fah-ther, grand- ]

noun

1. the father of one's father or mother.
2. a forefather.
3. the founder or originator of a family, species, type, etc.; the first of one's or its kind, or the one being longest in existence:

   the grandfather of all steam locomotives.

verb (used with object)

1. to exempt (something or someone) from new legislation, restrictions, or requirements:

   The law grandfathered all banks already operating at the time of passage. He was grandfathered into the pension plan.

grandfather

/ ˈɡrænˌfɑːðə; ˈɡrænd- /

noun

1. the father of one's father or mother
2. often plural a male ancestor
3. often capital a familiar term of address for an old man
4. dialect.
   a caterpillar or woodlouse

Word History and Origins

Origin of grandfather¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; grand-, father

Example Sentences

He rarely saw him or spoke to him when he was young, and his grandfather died while he was in college.

From Washington Post

During that time, his stepfather and both grandfathers died, and he had to clean out their homes, too.

From Washington Post

Many, many, many people on Twitter claimed Sanders as their uncle or grandfather.

From Washington Post

Ilya Samsonov’s grandfather loved the game, and in time, so did he.

From Washington Post

Her grandfather lived around the corner from my grandfather.

From Ozy

Earl Spencer adds, “Effectively, my great-grandfather sold his children to his father-in-law.”

From The Daily Beast

His grandfather, a pastor, had visited the church decades before—in the 1980s—when the church was popular within the community.

From The Daily Beast

His great-grandfather, David Yellin, was a prominent Zionist scholar and Israeli pioneer.

From The Daily Beast

Meanwhile, his grandfather was named Marion—also the birth name of John Wayne.

From The Daily Beast

My grandfather lived fast and large—he liked his liquor and his tobacco, and he was also an ace gambler.

From The Daily Beast

He grew very restless, for it was a long time before Grandfather Mole appeared.

From Project Gutenberg

But she told Grandfather Mole that it was all right—that she knew a person of his age ought not to go without his breakfast.

From Project Gutenberg

And he had waited so long for Grandfather Mole that he had begun to feel hungry again.

From Project Gutenberg

One thing was certain: Grandfather Mole could travel much faster through the water than he could underground.

From Project Gutenberg

Then Jimmy remembered suddenly that he had to meet Grandfather Mole over there.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• ancestor
• grandpa
• patriarch