grandfather

American  

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

noun

grandfathers plural

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.

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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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• grandfathers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of grandfather

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

Explanation

Your grandfather is the father of one of your parents. If your grandfather is quite old and has dozens of grandchildren, it might be hard for him to remember your birthday every year. Everyone has two biological grandfathers, whether they've had the chance to know them or not. In some families, grandmothers and grandfathers are involved in raising and caring for their grandchildren, while in others a grandfather may have died or live very far away. Informally, a grandfather can also be someone who started or invented something: "Blues musician Robert Johnson was the grandfather of rock and roll."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

grandfather grandfathers

In his 2012 autobiography "An American Son," the man oft-memed as the "viceroy" of Cuba, recounts boasting to his exiled Cuban grandfather that he would one day overthrow Fidel Castro and free Cuba.

From Barron's ● Jul. 29, 2026

“My grandfather was a gardener. She would tell cute little stories about him,” said Rosemary Madera, Cenovia’s daughter, who traveled to the event from Montana.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026

The King unveiled a plaque marking the 75th anniversary of Cambridge being granted city status by his grandfather King George VI, before calling the visit a "pleasure".

From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026

Taylor followed his father and grandfather into the produce business, founding Taylor Farms with partners in 1995.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 18, 2026

He thought of his father and grandfather, waiting, perhaps angry, perhaps terrified and panicking, for his return.

From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell

But for most of my life, they felt like the domain of grandfathers, finance bros and people who knew what vermouth was without having to Google it.

From Salon ● Jul. 7, 2026

“We’re asking airmen to strap into jets that their grandfathers, fathers and now they are flying, and it is time for a reset,” said Doug Birkey, executive director of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 16, 2026

She acknowledged that it was still "not enough" and promised a "special plan for our grandfathers and grandmothers."

From Barron's ● Apr. 30, 2026

Joshua had grown up in Spokane, Wash., and his father and one of his grandfathers worked as controllers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 23, 2026

And there were his mother and father smiling at him again, and one of his grandfathers nodding happily.

From "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" by J.K. Rowling

Related Words

• ancestor
• grandpa
• patriarch