housefather

American  

[hous-fah-ther] / ˈhaʊsˌfɑ ðər /

noun

1. a man responsible for a group of young people, as students, living in a dormitory, hostel, etc.

---

housefather British  

/ ˈhaʊsˌfɑːðə /

noun

1. a man in charge of the welfare of a particular group of children in an institution such as a children's home or approved school

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• housemother
  noun

Etymology

Origin of housefather

1545–55; house + father; compare Latin paterfamilias

Example Sentences

Keith Figes was a "housefather" at Berrow Wood School in Worcestershire and supposed to look after children with behavioural difficulties.

From BBC • Oct. 3, 2023

She explains that she had asked permission to call a few days ago, but her housefather reminded her of the transition schedule, which allows for one weekly call.

From New York Times • Sep. 28, 2021

“Every year we go through it,” Jason McQuiddy, Dasani’s new housefather, says.

From New York Times • Sep. 28, 2021

Paul Diment, is a housefather at the school, in charge of one of the houses which are designed to feel more like home than school.

From BBC • Nov. 14, 2012

He was a simple man who went about in the public parks with a red cotton umbrella under his arm, followed by a brood of children like any good housefather.

From The Story of Mankind by Van Loon, Hendrik Willem