grandfather clause

American  

noun

1. U.S. History. a clause in the constitutions of some Southern states after 1890 intended to permit white people to vote while disfranchising Black people: it exempted from new literacy and property qualifications for voting those men entitled to vote before 1867 and their lineal descendants.

2. any legal provision that exempts a business, class of persons, etc., from a new government regulation that would affect prior rights and privileges.

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grandfather clause British  

noun

1. history a clause in the constitutions of several Southern states that waived electoral literacy requirements for lineal descendants of people voting before 1867, thus ensuring the franchise for illiterate White people: declared unconstitutional in 1915

2. a clause in legislation that forbids or regulates an activity so that those engaged in it are exempted from the ban

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Etymology

Origin of grandfather clause

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Section 1 of the 22nd Amendment, which sets presidential term limits, has a similar grandfather clause.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 2026

Perceived ambiguity over the “vague” grandfather clause has led doctors to stop providing the care, Stewart said.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 7, 2023

Arnold Schwarzenegger repealed the so-called grandfather clause on smog checks, which exempted cars older than 30 years.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 26, 2022

Man-Man and Jenny will see no immediate relief: SB 48 has no grandfather clause.

From Slate • Jun. 22, 2020

In 1898 Louisiana passed an amendment inventing the so-called "grandfather clause."

From A Social History of the American Negro Being a History of the Negro Problem in the United States. Including A History and Study of the Republic of Liberia by Brawley, Benjamin Griffith