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
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
The picturesque hamlet is where Napa’s founding father, George Yount, established a village in the 1850s.
—
Katie Sweeney, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
The Golden Age Act would require all $100 bills printed after Dec. 31, 2028, to feature Trump’s face on the front side, replacing founding father Benjamin Franklin.
—Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 3 Mar. 2025
The moving, funny, thought-provoking and audience-interactive play is not a dry, educational tutorial about the document America’s founding fathers ratified in 1788.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025
The start: One of America’s founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin, is often credited with the daylight saving time idea.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for founding father
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.
Katie Sweeney, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
The Golden Age Act would require all $100 bills printed after Dec. 31, 2028, to feature Trump’s face on the front side, replacing founding father Benjamin Franklin.
—Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 3 Mar. 2025
The moving, funny, thought-provoking and audience-interactive play is not a dry, educational tutorial about the document America’s founding fathers ratified in 1788.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025
The start: One of America’s founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin, is often credited with the daylight saving time idea.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for founding father
Cite this Entry
“Founding father.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/founding%20father. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share