godmother
Americannoun
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a woman who serves as sponsor for a child at baptism.
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any female sponsor or guardian.
verb (used with object)
noun
Usage
What does godmother mean? A godmother is a woman who’s a godparent—a person who has pledged to help with the upbringing of a child, especially in a religious way. In some denominations of Christianity, when a child is baptized, they are sponsored by (usually two) adults who pledge to help in this way. Those adults are the child’s godparents, and the child is their godchild. Godparents are often related to their godchildren (an aunt might be her nephew’s godmother, for example), but they don’t need to be. Godparents also often pledge to become the godchild’s guardian if needed (in the event that the child’s parents die). These terms are all sometimes applied outside of a religious context—parents may choose close relatives or friends to act as godparents for their children without any religious aspect to the relationship. The word godmother is also sometimes used in a more general way to refer to a woman, especially one who’s older, who serves as a person’s mentor, protector, or simply someone who shows them kindness. The term fairy godmother is used in this way. Godmother can also be used in a somewhat figurative way to refer to a woman who’s considered the originator or main guiding force of a movement, school of thought, art form, or industry. Example: Joann is a wonderful godmother and spoils all of her godchildren.
Etymology
Origin of godmother
before 1000; Middle English; Old English godmōdor; see origin at god, mother 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“I will feel like her godmother, aunt, older sister, whatever for the rest of my life,” says Kulukundis.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 5, 2026
It belonged to Jean's godmother Jeanne Baudot, a friend and student of Renoir's, who passed the painting on to her inheritors.
From Barron's • Nov. 25, 2025
She adds she’s been in nurturing positions her entire life — to her younger sister Elle, and to the daughters of her best friend, who are 5 and 2, as their godmother.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 6, 2025
She was the step-aunt and godmother of the late rapper Tupac Shakur.
From BBC • Sep. 26, 2025
He paused to kiss the hand of his godmother, and offered a brief bow to Master Ellemire before turning to the Tizerkane as though he were the library’s representative and not the older man.
From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
