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

Analysts say prices are climbing high enough that silver owners large and small might sell from their vaults or their grandfathers’ coin collections—both sources of aboveground inventory—which could put pressure on prices.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A rescue worker like his father, the young man saved the life of his grandfather Michael Kuperstein, who had a heart attack at home.

Read more on Barron's

“My own experience, when my grandfather came back, was that my soul could rest and I could finally start to heal,” Lifshitz said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“My grandmother and grandfather did a lot in this community,” Faucett said as he shyly addressed the crowd from, “the bottom of my heart.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The family said their "darling husband", father, grandfather, father-in-law and brother "peacefully slipped away surrounded by his loved ones and the sounds of The Everly Brothers and Buddy Holly".

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• ancestor 
• grandpa 
• patriarch