parent Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
  2. noun an organism (plant or animal) from which younger ones are obtained
  3. verb bring up
    nurture; bring up; raise; rear.
    • raise a family
    • bring up children

WordNet

Par"ent noun
Etymology
L. parens, -entis; akin to parere to bring forth; cf. Gr. to give, beget: cf. F. parent. Cf. Part.
Definitions
  1. One who begets, or brings forth, offspring; a father or a mother.
    Children, obey your parents in the Lord. Eph. vi. 1.
  2. That which produces; cause; source; author; begetter; as, idleness is the parent of vice.
    Regular industry is the parent of sobriety. Channing.

Webster 1913