a male parent.

a father-in-law, stepfather, or adoptive father.

any male ancestor, esp. the founder of a race, family, or line; progenitor.

a man who exercises paternal care over other persons; paternal protector or provider

a father to the poor.

a person who has originated or established something

the father of modern psychology; the founding fathers.

a precursor, prototype, or early form

The horseless carriage was the father of the modern automobile.

one of the leading men in a city, town, etc.

a scandal involving several of the city fathers.

Chiefly British . the oldest member of a society, profession, etc. Compare dean 1 ( def. 3 ) .

a priest.

( initial capital letter ) Theology . the Supreme Being and Creator; God.

a title of respect for an elderly man.

the Father, Theology . the first person of the Trinity.

Also called church father. Church History . any of the chief early Christian writers, whose works are the main sources for the history, doctrines, and observances of the church in the early ages.

Ecclesiastical .

( often initial capital letter ) a title of reverence, as for church dignitaries, officers of monasteries, monks, confessors, and esp. priests.

a person bearing this title.

fathers, Roman History . conscript fathers.

to beget.

to be the creator, founder, or author of; originate.

to act as a father toward.

to acknowledge oneself the father of.

to assume as one's own; take the responsibility of.

to charge with the begetting of.

to perform the tasks or duties of a male parent; act paternally

Somehow he was able to write a book while fathering.

adjective

paternal