Meaning & use
progenitor
Last updated
A person, animal, or thing from which others are descended or developed; an originator.
See it in a sentence
The ancient reptile is considered a progenitor of modern crocodiles.
Many historians call him the progenitor of modern jazz.
A note on using this word
Used for both literal biological ancestors and figurative originators of ideas, movements, or styles.
Words with a similar meaning
ancestororiginator
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Words with an opposite meaning
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