grandfather

Grandfather is the male parent of a person’s father or mother. More broadly, a grandfather is any male ancestor from an earlier generation. There can be a paternal grandfather (father’s father) or a maternal grandfather (mother’s father).

In many cultures, grandfathers are valued as elders who preserve family history and provide guidance, storytelling, and support to younger generations. The exact role varies by family and culture and can include caregiving, mentorship, and participation in ceremonies or rituals.

Names for grandfathers vary by language and family: English speakers may use grandpa, granddad, or Gramps; German Großvater; Spanish abuelo (male); French grand-père; Italian nonno.

Other uses of the term appear in culture and technology. A grandfather clock is a tall pendulum clock named for its long history or tradition. The term also appears in thought experiments such as the grandfather paradox in time travel, which questions whether changing the past could prevent one’s own existence. Grandfathers may be involved in legal or social matters such as visitation rights or caregiving arrangements, depending on jurisdiction and family circumstances.

This neutral overview notes that while the specific experiences of grandfathers differ, the relationship typically centers on familial ties, heritage, and intergenerational connection.