single mother

noun

1. a mother who brings up a child or children alone, without a partner.

Word History and Origins

Origin of single mother¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

The book covers roughly the period from her birth to 1980, when Cher, a twice-divorced single mother with two children, found herself at a professional crossroads, figuring out what to do with the rest of her life.

From Los Angeles Times

A single mother who was undocumented, she said she fell behind on rent because of bounced paychecks and worried about feeding and clothing her children.

From New York Times

In Steve McQueen’s big-budget “Blitz,” Ronan plays resilient single mother Rita, whose 9-year-old son, George, goes missing from an evacuation train to the countryside.

From Los Angeles Times

“I see it as an intentional curatorial effort,” said Deadwyler, who is a single mother herself.

From Los Angeles Times

The 34-year-old single mother hugged everyone in the narrow bar area as she walked toward the patio, where the applause grew even louder.

From Los Angeles Times