single parent

¹ American  

noun

1. a parent or guardian who brings up a child or children alone, without a partner.

   Being a single parent isn’t easy.

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single-parent ² American  

[sing-guhl-pair-uhnt, ‐-par-uhnt] / ˈsɪŋ gəlˈpɛər ənt, ‐ˈpær ənt /

adjective

1. of or noting a family in which a parent brings up a child or children alone, without a partner: a single-parent household.

   a single-parent family;

   a single-parent household.

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single parent British  

noun

1. Also called (NZ): solo parent. 

   1. a person who has a dependent child or dependent children and who is widowed, divorced, or unmarried

   2. ( as modifier )

      a single-parent family

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Etymology

Origin of single parent¹

First recorded in 1850–60

Origin of single-parent¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

“Being raised by a single parent, it could go either way,” added Avery.

From Los Angeles Times

In a separate situation, Lopez said, an 18-year-old has been suddenly thrust into caring for two siblings after her mother, a single parent, was deported.

From Los Angeles Times

Take a single parent with two school-age children who earns $11,000 annually from part-time work.

From The Wall Street Journal

Learner driver Martha Machiek, a single parent from Stockport, said she is "very stressed" trying to book a driving test slot.

From BBC

The 26-year-old single parent from West Yorkshire says it has given her a "fresh start" and she no longer lives in fear of phone calls from debt collectors.

From BBC