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

Regarded as the founding father of the iconic California ranch house, May’s work has been repeatedly published in Sunset since the 1930s. —Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 13 Aug. 2024

America's founding fathers left their descendants with little guidance on what the nation's flag means. —Rachel Barber, The Courier-Journal, 3 July 2024

After years of touring in the role, Morgan Anita Wood will debut as Elizabeth Schuyler, the wife of the titular founding father, Alexander Hamilton, July 16 at the Richard Rogers Theatre in New York City. —Holly V. Hays, The Indianapolis Star, 5 July 2024

By many accounts, our founding fathers held wildly differing opinions and argued fiercely. —Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 4 July 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