forefather

noun

fore·​fa·​ther ˈfȯr-ˌfä-t͟hər How to pronounce forefather (audio)
1
2
: a person of an earlier period and common heritage

Examples of forefather in a Sentence

our forefathers bought this farm, and our family has worked it for three generations
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.
Trapping has evolved quite a bit since our forefathers first set out for beaver in the 1800s. Skye Goode, Outdoor Life, 27 Feb. 2025 The boy’s sensitivities — and love of reading — mark him out for a different path than the field work of his forefathers. Nicolas Rapold, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2025 Yet another way to think of him is as a forefather of the light and space movement of the 1960s and ’70s. Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2025 Our noble forefathers consented to hang anyone who messed with the currency. Nathan Lewis, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for forefather

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of forefather was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Forefather.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forefather. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

forefather

noun
fore·​fa·​ther ˈfō(ə)r-ˌfät͟h-ər How to pronounce forefather (audio)
ˈfȯ(ə)r-,
-ˌfȧt͟h-
1
2
: a person of an earlier period and similar culture

More from Merriam-Webster on forefather

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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