granddaddy

noun

grand·​dad·​dy ˈgran-ˌda-dē How to pronounce granddaddy (audio)
variants or less commonly grandaddy
1
2
: one that is the first, earliest, or most venerable of its kind

Examples of granddaddy in a Sentence

the granddaddy of all English mystery novels
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Trump’s directive repeals a series of executive orders promoting affirmative action in government, including the granddaddy of them all, President Lyndon ... Rich Lowry, National Review, 24 Jan. 2025 Well, the granddaddy of them all was former President Gerald Ford's pardon of former President Richard Nixon in 1974 for allegations or accusations associated with the Watergate scandal. Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2025 The granddaddy of all medical dramas ran from 1994 to 2009, for 15 old-school, network-length seasons on NBC. Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2025 Week 4: No. 15 Tennessee at No. 16 Oklahoma (Sept. 21) Sports columnists love a narrative game, and this is the granddaddy of narrative games. Blake Toppmeyer, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for granddaddy 

Word History

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of granddaddy was in 1648

Dictionary Entries Near granddaddy

Cite this Entry

“Granddaddy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/granddaddy. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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