forebear

Also for·bear

[fawr-bair, fohr-]

noun

1. Usually forebears ancestors; forefathers.

forebear

/ ˈfɔːˌbɛə /

noun

1. an ancestor; forefather

Word History and Origins

Origin of forebear¹

1425–75; Middle English (Scots), equivalent to fore- fore- + -bear “being,” variant of beer; be, -er ¹

Example Sentences

The vice-president is believed to be staying in Ayrshire, just north of Galloway, the area he says his forebears left in the 17th Century.

From BBC

Moreover, her forebears fought in the Revolutionary War.

From Salon

Sometimes we speak about our immigrant or working-class roots as if our forebears had passed on their fortitude, or that reserve of desperation that made them press forward, to do what they had to do.

From Los Angeles Times

While the titular ship’s crew manages to find the being Weyland believes to be the human race’s extraterrestrial predecessors, our forebears are not excited to meet us.

From Salon

Our Puritan forebears believed in the possibility of becoming perfect and one with God.

From Salon

Related Words

• forefather