grandson

A grandson is a male grandchild, the son of one’s child. The term denotes a second-generation descendant in a family tree. Grandsons can occupy a range of roles within families, and the exact dynamics depend on cultural, legal, and personal factors.

Etymology and usage: The word “grandson” is formed from grand + son. In English, it has been in use since the Middle Ages. In many other languages, equivalent terms reflect differing cultural emphases on paternal or maternal lineage and may have gender-specific forms for grandson and granddaughter.

Family and legal considerations: Some jurisdictions recognize rights and responsibilities involving grandparents and grandchildren, such as caregiving, visitation, or inheritance in wills. The concept can extend to step-grandsons and adopted grandsons when a non-biological relationship functions as a grandparent–grandchild bond.

See also: Grandchild, Grandfather, Grandmother, Grandparent, Granddaughter.