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

First question, Who is one of the founding fathers of modern day comedy? —Michael Schneider, Variety, 13 Feb. 2025

At the start, Miranda and the other founding fathers went into the lyrics: In America, all men are created equal. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 25 Jan. 2025

Johnson's Trump proceeded to give a rambling monologue while the actors portraying the founding fathers, including Miranda, remained frozen behind him. —Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2025

National Rally, the French far-right party, spent years trying to distance itself from its founding father, Jean-Marie Le Pen. —The Staff Of The Morning, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025

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