grandma

noun

grand·​ma ˈgran(d)-ˌmä 

-ˌmȯ;

ˈgra-ˌmä 

-ˌmȯ

plural grandmas

informal

: the mother of one's father or mother : grandmother

We took the kids to visit their grandma and grandpa.

—often used as a form of address

"Grandma," I said, "is trapping fish legal in this state?"

—Richard Peck

Examples of grandma in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Mom and dad browse the variety of unique grocery items, and grandma and grandpa enjoy a pickle on a stick while sitting in the yard under a sun umbrella. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2025

In this week's PEOPLE cover story, Priscilla opens up about the joys of being a great-grandma to Keough and Petersen's two kids. —Brianne Tracy, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2025

During that visit, Alix filmed a funny TikTok with her mom and grandma at the Harbor House, danced like nobody was watching — or filming — at RWB Milwaukee, swung by the Milwaukee Public Market and more. —Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 16 Sep. 2025

The Emmy winner — whose Abbott Elementary character Barbara is becoming a first-time grandma in the upcoming season 5 — revealed to PEOPLE in an exclusive chat what her future real-life nickname will be. —Brian Anthony Hernandez, People.com, 13 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1772, in the meaning defined above