fathers

Noun

father (plural fathers)

1. A male parent, especially of a human; a male who parents a child (which he has sired, adopted, fostered, etc.).
   • My father was a strong influence on me.
2. A male ancestor more remote than a parent; a progenitor; especially, a first ancestor.
   • So Dauid ſlept with his fathers, and was buried in the citie of Dauid.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 1 Kings 2:10
3. A term of respectful address for an elderly man.
   • Come, father; you can sit here.
4. A term of respectful address for a priest.
   • Bless you, good father friar!c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Measure for Measure”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward]...
5. A person who plays the role of a father in some way.
   • My brother was a father to me after my parents got divorced.
6. A pioneering figure in a particular field.
   • Albert Einstein is the father of modern physics.

See all 23 meanings of father