god·fa·ther
ˈgäd-ˌfä-t͟hər
also ˈgȯd-
1
: a man who sponsors a person at baptism
2
: one having a relation to someone or something analogous to that of a male sponsor to his godchild: such as
a
: one that founds, supports, or inspires
… made him the godfather of a whole generation of rebels.—The Times Literary Supplement (London)
b
: the leader of an organized crime syndicate
godfathered; godfathering; godfathers
: to act as godfather to
Cite this Entry
“Godfather.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/godfather. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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