den mother

noun

: a female adult leader of a Cub Scout den
also : a person seen in the role of leader or protector of a group

Examples of den mother in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Marilu Henner is like a den mother. — Jeff Conway, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025 The price of success As a prosperous den mother, Henry ran into her share of challenges. — Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Nov. 2023 Shelley loves her job, acting as a den mother to some of the younger dancers (including Kiernan Shipka and Brenda Strong). — Esther Zuckerman, TIME, 7 Sep. 2024 Defined by exhaustion from slaving away at the ironing board while confronting the latest family crisis, Angela is quite capable of whipping up baloney sandwiches with mayonnaise for all and functions as a wise-cracking, big-hearted den mother. — Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 4 Aug. 2025 Rainey was a dedicated Cub Scout den mother and Girl Scout troop leader, patron of the arts and supporter of the Walnut Creek library system and downtown business community. — Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 23 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of den mother was in 1936

Rhymes for den mother

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Browse Nearby Words

Denmark Strait
den mother
denner
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Cite this Entry

“Den mother.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/den%20mother. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

den mother

noun
: a female adult leader of a Cub Scout den
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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