founding father

Someone who was instrumental in the beginning or creation of something. Capitalized when used to refer to a member of the US Constitutional Convention. As the founding fathers of this club, we really want to see it thrive after we graduate. Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson were among the nation's Founding Fathers. Do you really think this is what the Founding Fathers had in mind when they wrote the Bill of Rights?

founding father (of something)

A man who was instrumental in the creation or pioneering of something. Many consider Alexander Fleming to be the founding father of modern antibiotics. The day is a celebration of the founding fathers of the small country. Wait, you've never heard of Marc Bolan? But he's a founding father of glam rock!

founding father

someone who establishes an institution.

Founding Father is used in particular of an American statesman at the time of the Revolution, especially a member of the Federal Constitutional Convention of 1787 .

the ˌfounding ˈfather(s) of something

(formal) the people who found or start a country, an organization, a branch of science, etc: Charles Babbage, the founding father of computer science