forefather

/ˌfɔrˈfɑðər/

/ˈfɔfɒðə/

Other forms: forefathers

You can describe your ancestor who traveled to America on the Mayflower as your forefather.

Use the noun forefather to talk about a relative in the distant past, usually a man who goes back on your family tree several generations. Your great-great-great grandfather is your forefather, for example. You can also describe the founder of a tradition or style as a forefather — some people think of Chuck Berry as the forefather of rock n' roll, for example. Fore, "before," combines with father in the word forefather.

Definitions of forefather

1. noun

   the founder of a family
   “keep the faith of our forefathers”

   synonyms: father, sire

   types:

   patriarch

   any of the early biblical characters regarded as fathers of the human race

   antediluvian, antediluvian patriarch

   any of the early patriarchs who lived prior to the Noachian deluge

   Jacob

   (Old Testament) son of Isaac; brother of Esau; father of the twelve patriarchs of Israel; Jacob wrestled with God and forced God to bless him, so God gave Jacob the new name of Israel (meaning `one who has been strong against God')

   Simeon

   (Old Testament) the 2nd son of Jacob and one of the 12 patriarchs of Israel

   type of:

   ancestor, antecedent, ascendant, ascendent, root

   someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)
2. noun

   person from an earlier time who contributed to the tradition shared by some group
   “our forefathers brought forth a great nation”

   type of:

   predecessor

   one who precedes you in time (as in holding a position or office)