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

That’s compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic and increased single parent households, she says.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

As a single parent living with her father, stepmother and brother, she said "you want to create security, but when your wages are unpredictable, everything feels uncertain".

From BBC • Feb. 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

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

Joaquin thinks Linda might become a single parent if that happens.

From "Far from the Tree" by Robin Benway