founding father

noun

1

: an originator of an institution or movement : founder

2

often capitalized both Fs : a leading figure in the founding of the U.S.

specifically : a member of the American Constitutional Convention of 1787

Synonyms

• author
• begetter
• creator
• establisher
• father
• founder
• generator
• inaugurator
• initiator
• instituter
• institutor
• originator
• sire

Examples of founding father in a Sentence

a tribute to Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and the other Founding Fathers

Theodor Herzl is often credited as the founding father of modern Zionism.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Electoral College was established by the founding fathers to serve as a compromise in presidential elections between the House and U.S. citizens. —Natasha Dye, People.com, 29 Oct. 2024

Constitutional sheriffs claim their power comes directly from the founding fathers, even though there is no mention of sheriffs in the constitution. —David Gilbert, WIRED, 24 Oct. 2024

In 1863, shortly before referencing the founding fathers in his more famous Gettysburg Address, Lincoln issued his Thanksgiving Proclamation asking Americans to set aside the last Thursday of November as a national holiday of remembrance and gratitude. —Michael Morris, TIME, 27 Nov. 2024

This is the architecture of the founding fathers who sought a robust system that could preserve the freedom of its states and citizens at all costs. —Edan Yago, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

founding father

noun

found·​ing father

ˈfau̇n-diŋ-

1

: one that starts or helps to start an institution or a movement

2

often capitalized : a leading figure in the founding of the U.S.

Legal Definition

founding father

noun

found·​ing fa·​ther

often capitalized both Fs

: a leading figure in the founding of the U.S.

specifically : a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1787