forebear

Also for·bear

[fawr-bair, fohr-]

noun

1. Usually forebears ancestors; forefathers.

forebear

/ ˈfɔːˌbɛə /

noun

1. an ancestor; forefather

Word History and Origins

Origin of forebear¹

1425–75; Middle English (Scots), equivalent to fore- fore- + -bear “being,” variant of beer; be, -er ¹

Example Sentences

She also believes that it is important for the Muslim community to be aware of their forebears who "volunteered for service voluntarily and gave of their best".

From BBC

Current eugenics rhetoric is, like its forebear, fundamentally incoherent.

From Los Angeles Times

The vice-president is believed to be staying in Ayrshire, just north of Galloway, the area he says his forebears left in the 17th Century.

From BBC

Moreover, her forebears fought in the Revolutionary War.

From Salon

Sometimes we speak about our immigrant or working-class roots as if our forebears had passed on their fortitude, or that reserve of desperation that made them press forward, to do what they had to do.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• forefather