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in loco parentis

American  
[in loh-koh pah-ren-tees, in loh-koh puh-ren-tis] / ɪn ˈloʊ koʊ pɑˈrɛn tis, ɪn ˈloʊ koʊ pəˈrɛn tɪs /

adverb

Latin.
  1. in the place or role of a parent.


in loco parentis British  
/ ɪn ˈləʊkəʊ pəˈrɛntɪs /
  1. in place of a parent: said of a person acting in a parental capacity

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

in loco parentis Cultural  
  1. To assume the duties and responsibilities of a parent: “Because Jack's parents were out of town, his sister acted in loco parentis and punished him for staying out so late.” From Latin, meaning “in the place of a parent.”


Discover More

At one time, colleges and universities acted in loco parentis for their students, but this is no longer true.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He was also asked about his understanding of the term "in loco parentis", namely having responsibilities for children in the absence of their parents or guardians.

From BBC

Guardianship letters convey authority and the right to make decisions concerning the child or children “in loco parentis,” which is Latin for “in place of the parents.”

From Encyclopedia.com

So, parents, too, would be pupils of the state government acting in loco parentis.

From Washington Post

If Texas really wants these babies and wants to play “in loco parentis,” it should put its money where its mouth is.

From Seattle Times

IHEs act in loco parentis and thus have a duty to care for the safety and security of students on campus.

From Scientific American