father

A male parent, or a man who raises and cares for a child as a parent.

• My father works in a hospital.
• Her father taught her to swim.
• Many fathers share childcare equally with mothers.

Similar words: dad, male parent

Common phrases: my father, father of someone, single father, loving father

A respectful way of speaking to an older man.

• Sit here, father, and rest.
• Good father, may I help you across the road?
• Tell us, father, what life was like here long ago.

Common phrases: come father, good father

To be the man whose sperm produces a child.

• He fathered three children.
• Who fathered her first child?
• The bull has fathered many healthy calves.

Similar words: sire, beget

Common phrases: father a child, father children, father a son