Definition of 'parent'

Word Frequency

parent

(pɛərənt , pær- )

Word forms: parents

1. countable noun

Your parents are your mother and father.

Children need their parents.

This is where a lot of parents go wrong.

2. See also single parent

3. adjective [ADJ n]

An organization's parent organization is the organization that created it and usually still controls it.

Each unit including the parent company has its own, local management.

Video: pronunciation of 'parent'

Word Frequency

parent in American

(ˈpɛrənt ; perˈənt; ˈpærənt ; parˈənt)

noun

a mother or father

a progenitor or ancestor

any animal, organism, or plant in relation to its offspring

anything from which other things are derived; source; origin

adjective

5. US

designating a corporation in relation to a subsidiary that it owns and controls

designating anything in relation to something for which it is the source

other books based on this parent work

verb transitive, verb intransitive

to be or act as the parent (of)

Derived forms

parenthood (ˈparentˌhood)

noun

Word origin of 'parent'

OFr < L parens, parent, orig. prp. of parere, to beget: see -parous

Word Frequency

parent in British

(ˈpɛərənt )

noun

a father or mother

a person acting as a father or mother; guardian

3. rare

an ancestor

a source or cause

an organism or organization that has produced one or more organisms or organizations similar to itself

(as modifier)

a parent organism

6. physics, chemistry

a precursor, such as a nucleus or compound, of a derived entity

(as modifier)

a parent nucleus

a parent ion

Derived forms

parenthood (ˈparenthood)

noun

Word origin of 'parent'

C15: via Old French from Latin parens parent, from parere to bring forth

Example sentences containing 'parent'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

Please make sure you get your parent or guardian to submit the entry for you. The Sun (2016)The parents go abroad because they have no choice. The Sun (2016)His adoptive parents were solicitors from Leicestershire. Times, Sunday Times (2016)It was tough for my mom because she was a single parent and my father didn't treat her too good. Times, Sunday Times (2016)The company reduced its tax bill by sending the fees paid by British sellers to its Swiss parent company. The Sun (2016)But schools that do have a pushy parent body generally do get much better results. Times, Sunday Times (2014)Parents buy cheaper foods that are higher in sugar content. The Sun (2012)The winners must be accompanied by a parent or guardian on the match day. Times, Sunday Times (2008)Some say that our parents are responsible. Times, Sunday Times (2010)The first "acquaintance" process after delivery may be an especially important one for parents. Bee, Helen The Developing Child (7th edn.) (1995)They will take up far less space indoors over the winter than the big parent plants. Times, Sunday Times (2013)The parent is always going to be the bad guy. The Sun (2010)You can be wrong as a parent. Times, Sunday Times (2013)There are many reasons why parents choose particular schools. Times, Sunday Times (2008)We need to make parents and careers advisers more aware of the opportunities. Times, Sunday Times (2016)We are both thrilled and cannot wait to become parents. The Sun (2015)Parents or guardians must stand their ground. The Sun (2008)He says that his parents are proud of him. Times, Sunday Times (2011)They lived initially with the mother 's parents. Times, Sunday Times (2015)There is method in the parent body 's approach. Times, Sunday Times (2015)A church is recognized as tax exempt if it is included in a list provided by the parent organization. Christianity Today (2000)My father 's parents raised me. Herman, Judith Lewis Trauma and Recovery (1992)On open day I was interviewing parents and my mother happened to be visiting me. Steel, Elizabeth Coping With Sudden Hair Loss (1988)The parent company is worth its 80m net assets in 2013-14. Times, Sunday Times (2016)My mother's and father 's parents were already there. Times, Sunday Times (2014)

Quotations

Honour thy father and thy mother Bible: Exodus

Parents love their children more than children love their parents Auctoritates Aristotelis

Children begin by loving their parents; after a time they judge them; rarely, if ever, do they forgive themOscar Wilde A Woman of No Importance

The most difficult job in the world is not being President. It's being a parentBill Clinton

Parents ... are sometimes a bit of a disappointment to their children. They don't fulfil the promise of their early yearsAnthony Powell A Buyer's Market

The first half of our life is ruined by our parents and the second half by our childrenClarence Darrow