grandfather

American  

[gran-fah-ther, grand-] / ˈgrænˌfɑ ðər, ˈgrænd- /

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 British  

/ 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

---

Etymology

Origin of grandfather

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; grand-, father

Example Sentences

His father and grandfather were in the Air Force and his uncle was in the Army.

From Los Angeles Times

Harry might be an established member of MAVS, but she wasn’t tribally enrolled, and her grandfather had been her only connection to the culture before he died.

From Literature

The court heard the boy had been "shocked" after his grandfather warned him he could end up in prison if he did not change his behaviour.

From BBC

"A devoted husband, father and a grandfather, Geoff brought Rob to his first ever game at Headingley and started his love of the Rhinos," the statement said.

From BBC

His grandfather, David Lewis, was one of the party's founding members and was its leader in the 1970s, while his father, Stephen Lewis, led the Ontario NDP.

From BBC

Related Words

• ancestor
• grandpa
• patriarch