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

Over the next couple of years, she also lost her grandfather and an uncle, which hit her hard.

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Sarraj reunited with other relatives, too, and said he learned of the deaths of an in-law, an uncle, a friend, his grandfather and a cousin, as well as the destruction of his home.

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He was born Mark Killick but first changed his name to Mark Jenkins, which he said was in tribute to his grandfather.

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The story that Andy recounts about his grandfather leads him to consider the course of his own life.

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After my grandfather died, my cousin skipped town.

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Related Words

• ancestor 
• grandpa 
• patriarch