English Reference
noun

grandmother

n.
US /ˈɡɹændˌməðɝ/ UK /ɡɹˈændmʌðɐ/ grand·moth·er UK spelling grandmother's, grandmother's

  1. 01 A1 Beginner

    the mother of your father or your mother.

    the mother of one's father or mother.

    Simple

    My grandmother lives in a small house near the beach, and we visit her every summer.

    In context

    His grandmother celebrated her ninetieth birthday surrounded by three generations of her descendants, including twelve grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced Literary

    a woman from your family who lived a long time ago.

    a female ancestor or progenitor within a lineage.

    Simple

    She wanted to learn more about her grandmothers who lived in the village centuries ago.

    In context

    The historian traced the lineage back to a common grandmother who had settled in the valley during the early colonial period.

    ancestressforemother
  3. 03 C2 Proficiency Technical Religion

    a respectful name for a powerful plant medicine used in some South American cultures.

    a reverential name for the ayahuasca vine or brew in Amazonian shamanism, personified as a wise guiding spirit.

    Simple

    The shaman spoke of the grandmother as a teacher who shows people the truth.

    In context

    In traditional ceremonies, practitioners often refer to the brew as the grandmother, reflecting a deep spiritual relationship with the plant's perceived consciousness.

    ayahuasca

From Middle English graundmodre, grauntmoder, granmoder; equivalent to grand- + mother. Compare French grand-mère. Superseded earlier eldmother, eldermother.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Middle English graundmodre
Level A1 · Beginner
Frequency Common
Updated