Founding Fathers

American  

plural noun

1. the delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787.

2. (often lowercase) any group of founders.

   the town's founding fathers.

---

Founding Fathers Cultural  

1. A general name for male American patriots during the Revolutionary War, especially the signers of the Declaration of Independence and those who drafted the Constitution. John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and George Washington were all Founding Fathers.

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Founding Fathers

At least once while watching “The Great American Road Trip,” I found myself wondering what the Founding Fathers would make of all this.

From Salon ● Aug. 23, 2026

Another 20 of the Founding Fathers were the sons of immigrants; again, the same percentage as the national team.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 4, 2026

According to Rebecca Nagle, a citizen of Cherokee Nation, a writer and journalist, and the host of the new podcast First America, the Founding Fathers initially faced an identity crisis.

From Slate ● Jul. 3, 2026

Painter stressed that the Founding Fathers were so afraid of foreign influence — and the possibility of getting dragged into alliances and wars — that they put provisions like that clause in the Constitution.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 2, 2026

After some time walking, she told me to take note of a special place called Independence Hall, where she said our Founding Fathers and Mothers let freedom ring throughout the land.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan