forefather

noun

fore·​fa·​ther ˈfȯr-ˌfä-t͟hər How to pronounce forefather (audio)
Synonyms of forefathernext
1
: ancestor sense 1a
2
: a person of an earlier period and common heritage

Synonyms of forefather

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Examples of forefather in a Sentence

our forefathers bought this farm, and our family has worked it for three generations
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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Many progressives and political experts cite Sanders, the Senate's only democratic socialist member, as the forefather of the movement that has toppled several longtime Democratic incumbents across the nation this year. — Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 16 Aug. 2026 Wulf pays overdue homage to an intellectual titan and forefather of linguistics and natural history. — Hamilton Cain, Time, 7 July 2026 But the truth is that our forefathers were sufficiently individualistic to be iconoclastic. — Colin Fleming, New York Daily News, 4 July 2026 Like its forefather, the Barreda Mary Janes have three stripes, a low profile, and a round toe. — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 14 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for forefather

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of forefather was in the 14th century

Rhymes for forefather

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Browse Nearby Words

foreface
forefather
forefather's-cup
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Cite this Entry

“Forefather.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forefather. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

forefather

noun
fore·​fa·​ther ˈfō(ə)r-ˌfät͟h-ər How to pronounce forefather (audio)
ˈfȯ(ə)r-, 
-ˌfȧt͟h-
1
: ancestor sense 1
2
: a person of an earlier period and similar culture

More from Merriam-Webster on forefather

Nglish: Translation of forefather for Spanish Speakers

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