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-parent²

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Sugar is a single parent and bought a 25% share of a three‑bedroom flat in north London to share with her child and disabled mother.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

Indeed, part of the problem is access: In many countries, it’s challenging to pursue surrogacy as an intended single parent.

From Slate • Feb. 23, 2026

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 • Dec. 24, 2025

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 17, 2025

Well, my mom is a single parent, and we almost never hear from my dad.

From "Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie" by Jordan Sonnenblick