housefather

American  

[haus-fah-ther] / ˈhaʊsˌfɑ ðər /

noun

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

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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

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Other Word Forms

• housemother
  noun

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Etymology

Origin of housefather

1545–55; house + father; compare Latin paterfamilias

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

housefather

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

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

From New York Times ● Sep. 28, 2021

Dasani’s housefather tries to soften the landing by making his homiest dish — lasagna.

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

"Go only to Father Balthazar, housefather, and see if he doth not call it a sending of a lamb among wolves."

From The Dove in the Eagle's Nest by Charlotte Mary Yonge

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