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

/ ˈɡrænd-, ˈɡrænˌfɑːðə /

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

When she was a child, her grandfather was diagnosed with cancer.

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He’ll be a doctor, like his father and grandfather, healing Jews and Arabs alike.

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His widow, whom I’ve considered my grandmother since birth, told us that the money was used to cover my grandfather’s significant medical debt.

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Her grandfather’s philosophy was that the better he did, the more he would be able to provide for his family and community.

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His grandfather served on the Board of Supervisors; his father ran a chain of dress shops.

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Related Words

• ancestor 
• grandpa 
• patriarch