fathership

noun

fa·​ther·​ship

ˈfät͟hə(r)ˌship,

fȧt͟həˌsh-

plural -s

: the quality or state of being a father

especially : the state of being the oldest member of a society or associated group (as the British House of Commons)

Word History

Etymology

Middle English fadership, from fader + -ship

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!