First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1mother
noun moth·er \ˈmə-thər\
Definition of MOTHER
1
a : a female parent b (1) : a woman in authority; specifically : the superior of a religious community of women (2) : an old or elderly woman
3
: maternal tenderness or affection
4
[short for motherfucker] sometimes vulgar : motherfucker
5
: something that is an extreme or ultimate example of its kind especially in terms of scale <the mother of all construction projects>
— moth·er·hood \-ˌhu̇d\ noun
— moth·er·less \-ləs\ adjective
— moth·er·less·ness noun
Origin of MOTHER
Middle English moder, from Old English mōdor; akin to Old High German muoter mother, Latin mater, Greek mētēr, Sanskrit mātṛ
2mother
adjective
Definition of MOTHER
1
a : of, relating to, or being a mother b : bearing the relation of a mother
2
: derived from or as if from one's mother
3
: acting as or providing parental stock —used without reference to sex
First Known Use of MOTHER
13th century
3mother
verb
: to give birth to (a child)
: to be or act as mother to (someone) : to care for or protect (someone) like a mother
moth·eredmoth·er·ing \ˈmə-thə-riŋ, ˈməth-riŋ\
Full Definition of MOTHER
transitive verb
1
a : to give birth to b : to give rise to : produce
2
: to care for or protect like a mother
See mother defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of MOTHER
15th century
Other Embryology Terms
4mother
noun
Definition of MOTHER
Origin of MOTHER
archaic mother dregs, lees; akin to Middle Dutch moeder dregs
First Known Use: 1682
MOTHER Defined for Kids
1mother
noun moth·er \ˈmə-thər\
Definition of MOTHER for Kids
1
: a female parent
2
: a nun in charge of a convent
2mother
adjective
Definition of MOTHER for Kids
1
: of or having to do with a mother <mother love>
2
: being in a relation suggesting that of a mother to others <our mother country>
3mother
verb
moth·eredmoth·er·ing
Definition of MOTHER for Kids
: to be or act as a mother to
Medical Dictionary
mother
noun moth·er \ˈməth-ər\
Medical Definition of MOTHER
: a female parent
Learn More About MOTHER
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: motherboardPrevious Word in the Dictionary: moth–eatenAll Words Near: mother
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up mother? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).