First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1parent
noun par·ent \ˈper-ənt\
: a person who is a father or mother : a person who has a child
: an animal or plant that produces a young animal or plant
: something out of which another thing has developed
Full Definition of PARENT
1
a : one that begets or brings forth offspring b : a person who brings up and cares for another
2
a : an animal or plant that is regarded in relation to its offspring b : the material or source from which something is derived c : a group from which another arises and to which it usually remains subsidiary <a parent company>
— parent adjective
— pa·ren·tal \pə-ˈren-təl\ adjective
— pa·ren·tal·ly \-təl-ē\ adverb
— par·ent·less \ˈper-ənt-ləs\ adjective
See parent defined for English-language learners
See parent defined for kids
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Origin of PARENT
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin parent-, parens; akin to Latin parere to give birth to
Other Genetics Terms
Rhymes with PARENT
2parent
verb
Definition of PARENT
transitive verb
intransitive verb
: to be or act as a parent
First Known Use of PARENT
1663
PARENT Defined for Kids
parent
noun par·ent \ˈper-ənt\
Definition of PARENT for Kids
1
: a father or mother of a child
2
: an animal or plant that produces offspring
Medical Dictionary
parent
noun par·ent \ˈpar-ənt, ˈper-\
Medical Definition of PARENT
1
: one that begets or brings forth offspring
2
: the material or source from which something is derived
—parent adjective
—pa·ren·tal \pə-ˈrent-əl\ adjective
Learn More About PARENT
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