grandma

noun

grand·​ma ˈgran(d)-ˌmä How to pronounce grandma (audio)
-ˌmȯ;
ˈgra-ˌmä How to pronounce grandma (audio)
-ˌmȯ
plural grandmas
informal
: the mother of one's father or mother : grandmother
We took the kids to visit their grandma and grandpa.
—often used as a form of address
"Grandma," I said, "is trapping fish legal in this state?"—Richard Peck

Examples of grandma 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.
Gino’s traditional family Christmas Eve turns into a bloody battle for survival when his long-dead grandma drops by and goes on a murderous rampage. — Rachel Labonte, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2026 At that moment, the child, who was in attendance with his mom and grandma, stood on his chair and made a heart symbol using his two hands. — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 29 Oct. 2026 Ernest heard his grandma yelling at her to turn her sprinkler off. — Madeline Ffitch, Harpers Magazine, 27 Oct. 2026 Intarsia berries and cherries were lifted directly from Bernadette’s womenswear for mommy-and-me — or, in the de Geyters’ case, grandma, mommy and me — twinning. — Ari Stark, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grandma

Word History

First Known Use

1772, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of grandma was in 1772

Browse Nearby Words

grandly
grandma
grand mal
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grandma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grandma. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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