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parent
[ pair-uhnt, par- ]
/ ˈpɛər ənt, ˈpær- /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
noun
adjective
being the original source: a parent organization.
Biology. pertaining to an organism, cell, or complex molecular structure that generates or produces another: parent cell; parent DNA.
verb (used with object)
to be or act as parent of: to parent children with both love and discipline.
VIDEO FOR PARENT
A Mom's Handy Word List For Questions That Won't Quit
To save your sanity while expanding your kids' vocabulary, here's a handy word list for questions that just won't quit.
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!
Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.
Origin of parent
1375–1425; late Middle English (<Middle French ) <Latin parent- (stem of parēns), noun use of present participle of parere to bring forth, breed
OTHER WORDS FROM parent
par·ent·less, adjectivepar·ent·like, adjectivenon·par·ent, nounWords nearby parent
pareira, pareira brava, paren., parenchyma, parens, parent, parentage, parental, parental home, parental leave, parent cell
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use parent in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for parent
parent
/ (ˈpɛərənt) /
noun
a father or mother
a person acting as a father or mother; guardian
rare an ancestor
a source or cause
- an organism or organization that has produced one or more organisms or organizations similar to itself
- (as modifier)a parent organism
physics chem
- a precursor, such as a nucleus or compound, of a derived entity
- (as modifier)a parent nucleus; a parent ion
Derived forms of parent
parenthood, nounWord Origin for parent
C15: via Old French from Latin parens parent, from parere to bring forth
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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