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 Federal Trade Commission released a report Thursday slamming social media platforms including Facebook’s parent company, Meta, as well as TikTok, Google-owned YouTube, Snap and other online services over privacy and youth safety concerns.

From Los Angeles Times

Ms Riley's parents, roommates and other friends and family cried as the verdict was read, while Ibarra did not visibly react.

From BBC

Four pallbearers carried the coffin from the church after the funeral and they were followed by Payne’s parents and Cole.

From Los Angeles Times

“As Secretary of Education, Linda will fight tirelessly to expand ‘Choice’ to every State in America, and empower parents to make the best Education decisions for their families.

From Salon

Sara Sharif begged her parents for forgiveness for “being rude” in a letter discovered after her death, a court has heard.

From BBC

Related Words

• father
• mother