godfather

1 of 2

noun

god·​fa·​ther ˈgäd-ˌfä-t͟hər 

 also  ˈgȯd-

1

: a man who sponsors a person at baptism

2

: one having a relation to someone or something analogous to that of a male sponsor to his godchild: such as

a

: one that founds, supports, or inspires

made him the godfather of a whole generation of rebels

—The Times Literary Supplement (London)

b

: the leader of an organized crime syndicate

godfather

2 of 2

verb

godfathered; godfathering; godfathers

transitive verb

: to act as godfather to

Examples of godfather in a Sentence

Noun

Her uncle is her godfather.

Many people regard him as the godfather of rock and roll.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Perry is the godfather of their 3-year-old daughter, Princess Lilibet, and in 2020, offered his Los Angeles home to the couple and their 5-year-old son, Prince Archie, as the couple transitioned out of their royal roles. —Janine Henni, People.com, 5 Dec. 2024

Murray, the godfather of reality TV who also co-created The Real World and Road Rules alongside his late producing partner Mary-Ellis Bunim, remembers his first meeting with Richie vividly. —Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Dec. 2024

Verb

Murdoch’s political ally, godfather to one of Rupert’s young daughters with Deng – have to do with this? —Kim Masters, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 July 2022

Even the beginning is a little iffy: Where does godfather Drosselmeyer come from? —John Anderson, WSJ, 9 Dec. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1651, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

godfather

noun

god·​fa·​ther

ˈgäd-ˌfät͟h-ər,

 also  ˈgȯd-

: a male sponsor at baptism