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Definition of "father" []

  • A male person whose sperm unites with an egg, resulting in the conception of a child. (noun)
  • A man who adopts a child. (noun)
  • A man who raises a child. (noun)
  • A male parent of an animal. (noun)
  • A male ancestor. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "father" in a sentence
  • "A father might sell his children as servants, i.e. his _daughters_, in which circumstance it was understood the daughter was to be the wife or daughter-in-law of the man who bought her, and the _father_ received the price."
  • "A father might sell his children as servants, i.e., his _daughters_, in which circumstance it was understood the daughter was to be the wife or daughter-in-law of the man who bought her, and the _father_ received the price."
  • ""But, father," the Golden Maiden said -- she called him _father_ now and it pleased him mightily; "father, I should rather marry Janko!""