forefather

noun

fore·​fa·​ther ˈfȯr-ˌfä-t͟hər 

1

: ancestor sense 1a

2

: a person of an earlier period and common heritage

Synonyms

• ancestor
• father
• forebear
• forbear
• forebearer
• grandfather
• primogenitor
• progenitor

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

Our forefathers must be turning over in their graves. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2024

But with relaxed censorship and a new governmental push to foster cinematic culture, the late 1990s saw the formation of the prolific South Korean auteurs best known internationally today—the forefathers of the New Korean Cinema. —Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 28 Oct. 2024

Their forefathers and descendants have been on this land for nearly 300 years starting as slaves on the plantations. —John Bacon, USA TODAY, 21 Oct. 2024

Saudi Arabia hosts Islam’s two holiest sites, and its ruling family’s power stems from a bargain its forefathers made with a fundamentalist Sunni religious sect. —David B. Roberts, Foreign Affairs, 18 Mar. 2016

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

forefather

noun

fore·​fa·​ther ˈfō(ə)r-ˌfät͟h-ər 

ˈfȯ(ə)r-,

-ˌfȧt͟h-

1

: ancestor sense 1

2

: a person of an earlier period and similar culture