Meaning & use

parent

noun·Everyday

A person's father or mother, or a person who raises and cares for a child.

See it in a sentence

Both of her parents attended the school play to watch her perform.

The volunteers often parent foster children for years before an adoption is finalized.

A note on using this word

"Parent" can also function as a verb, meaning to raise or care for a child, as in "to parent well."

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

child

Another way to use it

2. verb

To care for and raise a child, providing guidance and support as they grow.

They chose to parent their children with a mix of structure and independence.

Make it your own

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