parent

1 of 2

noun

par·​ent ˈper-ənt How to pronounce parent (audio)
1
a
: one that begets or brings forth offspring
just became parents of twins
b
: a person who brings up and cares for another
foster parents
2
a
: an animal or plant that is regarded in relation to its offspring
The parent brings food to the chicks.
b
: the material or source from which something is derived
Latin is the parent of several languages.
c
: a group from which another arises and to which it usually remains subsidiary
a parent company
parent adjective
parental adjective
parentally adverb
parentless adjective

parent

2 of 2

verb

parented; parenting; parents

transitive verb

: to be or act as the parent of : originate, produce

intransitive verb

: to be or act as a parent

Examples of parent in a Sentence

Noun My parents live in New York. The form must be signed by a parent or guardian of the child. The parent brings food to the chicks. The new plant will have characteristics of both parent plants.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Kristin talks with peers, peers’ parents, and every staff member, explaining how the dog is trained, how to behave around it, and soothing any worries regarding potential aggressive actions. Ethan Stone, USA TODAY, 13 Dec. 2024 Loading your audio article Survey for Lake County Schools student calendars Lake County Schools parents, students, employees and other stakeholders are encouraged to complete a survey indicating their preferences for student calendars for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years by 5 p.m. Dec. 13. Orlando Sentinel Staff, Orlando Sentinel, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
The couple, who also share daughters Elliotte, 3, and Bennett, 21 months – along with another baby girl on the way – have had their fair share of parenting moments under the public eye. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024 Dan Slavin, a construction subcontractor in California, has parented his daughter Kaitlyn through an experience no one in their family expected this school year. Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 12 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for parent 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin parent-, parens "father or mother, progenitor, ancestor," probably from an aorist participle of parere "to give birth to, bring into being, produce" — more at parturient entry 1

Verb

derivative of parent entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1663, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of parent was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near parent

Cite this Entry

“Parent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parent. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

parent

noun
par·​ent
ˈpar-ənt,
ˈper-
1
a
: one that is a father or mother
b
: an animal or plant that produces offspring
2
: the original source of something
parent adjective
parenthood
-ˌhu̇d
noun

Medical Definition

parent

noun
par·​ent ˈpar-ənt, ˈper- How to pronounce parent (audio)
1
: one that begets or brings forth offspring
2
: the material or source from which something is derived
parent adjective
parental adjective

Legal Definition

parent

noun
par·​ent
1
a
: a person who begets or brings forth offspring
especially : the natural parents of a child born of their marriage
b
: a person who legally adopts a child
c
: a person or entity that owes to a child a legally imposed duty of support
d
: a stepparent where designated by statute
2
: an entity or group that gives rise to or acquires another usually subsidiary entity or group
a parent company
specifically : a corporation that owns a required minimum percentage of the stock of another corporation compare affiliate
parent adjective
parental adjective
parentally adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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