godfather

[god-fah-ther]

noun

1. a man who serves as sponsor for a child at baptism.

2. any male sponsor or guardian.

3. (often initial capital letter),  a powerful leader, especially of the Mafia.

4. a person who is regarded as the originator or principal shaper of a movement, school of thought, art form, industry, or the like.

   the godfather of abstract expressionism.

verb (used with object)

1. to act as godfather to; be sponsor or protector for.

godfather

/ ˈɡɒdˌfɑːðə /

noun

1. a male godparent

2. the head of a Mafia family or other organized criminal ring

3. an originator or leading exponent

   the godfather of South African pop

Other Word Forms

• godfatherly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of godfather¹

before 1000; Middle English godfader, Old English godfæder; god, father

Example Sentences

Despite worldwide renown as one of the godfathers of artificial intelligence, he has been increasingly sidelined as the company’s approach diverged from his views on the technology’s future.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Joel was like a godfather to me—a partner in my firm, the guy that ‘discovered’ me and backed me before anyone outside my family did.

Read more on Literature

Co-workers call him the “godfather of fibers,” and “Obi-Ron Kenobi” for his ability to spot a problem deep in the manufacturing process.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"Because men are pretty easily called godfathers or founding fathers."

Read more on BBC

"To handle a genuine rediscovery of a work by someone who is easily one of the most famous artists in the world and the godfather of Surrealism is a real honour."

Read more on BBC