grandparent

American  

[gran-pair-uhnt, -par-, grand-] / ˈgrænˌpɛər ənt, -ˌpær-, ˈgrænd- /

noun

• grandparents
  plural

1. a parent of a parent.

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grandparent British  

/ ˈɡrænˌpɛərənt, ˈɡrænd- /

noun

1. the father or mother of either of one's parents

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Usage

What does grandparent mean? A grandparent is the parent of a person’s parent. When a parent’s child has children, that parent becomes a grandparent. Grandmothers and grandfathers are grandparents. A parent of a grandparent is called a great-grandparent. In your family tree, you have four grandparents and eight great-grandparents. Most people refer to their grandparents with titles like grandma and grandpa. Example: It doesn’t matter what you call your grandparents, as long as you call them.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• grandparenting
  noun
• grandparental
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• grandparents
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of grandparent

First recorded in 1820–30; grand- + parent

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Explanation

A grandparent is your parent's parent. Your dad's mother is your grandparent, and so is your mom's father. If you're lucky enough to have living grandparents, then that's pretty grand. Most people have a special name for each of their grandparents, whether it's "Grandma," "Grandpa Bob," or "Nana." Others never have the chance to meet their grandparents, but everyone has them. The word grandparent, first used at the start of the nineteenth century, uses grand in its sense of "a generation older than." Your grandparents are a generation older than your parents.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

grandparent grandparents

People might visit the grave of a spouse or a child, but how many visit the grave of a parent, grandparent, uncle or aunt?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026

Once a parent or grandparent with a dependent files, a child generally can collect up to half of the full retirement-age benefit until they turn 18, or 19 if they are still in high school.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 26, 2026

Denied, he settles for iced tea, but encourages me to eat with the geniality and concern of a grandparent.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 7, 2026

Irrevocable first-party special-needs trusts must be established by a parent, grandparent or guardian of the person with disabilities, or by the court, Fidelity adds.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 2, 2026

Granddad was the last grandparent to die, and the only one I have any memories of.

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell

“And it felt like my grandparents were right there with me, whispering: ‘It’s your turn.’

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 5, 2026

"Our parents and grandparents did it, so we do it, too. Otherwise, it would reflect badly on you in the village."

From Barron's ● Nov. 4, 2026

Sarah said she felt "mum guilt" as her youngest son Joey, who is nearly two, spent most of his time with grandparents and relatives while Teddy was in hospital.

From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2026

Some boomer and Gen X parents and grandparents, however, are hesitant, fearing doing this could endanger their own financial security if they run into steep healthcare or long-term-care costs.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 31, 2026

The man had lived in the same place all his life, as his parents and grandparents had before him.

From "Adventures of Don Quixote" by Argentina Palacios

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