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

Jean-Marie Le Pen, the founding father of France’s modern far right, died at 96. —The Staff Of The Morning, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025

Fleischer keeps a file of heated American political rhetoric dating to the founding fathers. —Noah Bierman, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2024

Arizona's founding fathers felt strongly that voters should have the right to make laws at the ballot box. —Joanna Allhands, The Arizona Republic, 2 Jan. 2025

Nat Faxon is joining the CBS sitcom for one very special episode to play Alexander Hamilton, the founding father who was Isaac’s rival in life and obsession in death, the network revealed Thursday. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 5 Dec. 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