Spanish word

progenitor

Pronunciation

IPA/pɾoxeniˈtoɾ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounparent

Example

Mis progenitores siempre me apoyaron.

My parents always supported me.

Illustration for progenitor (parent)

More examples

Muchas personas quieren conocer a su progenitor biológico.

Many people want to meet their biological parent.

Core concept

Biological or legal parent.

Common phrases

  • progenitor biológico

    biological parent

  • progenitor adoptivo

    adoptive parent

Similar words

papá: Affectionate, informal term for a child's father used at home.
mamá: Affectionate, informal term for a child's mother used at home.
padre: Neutral, standard term for a child's male parent in everyday speech.
madre: Neutral, standard term for a child's female parent in everyday speech.

Definition in Spanish

Persona que ha engendrado o dado origen biológico a un hijo; padre o madre en sentido biológico y legal.

Word origin

Spanish progenitor derives from Latin progenitor, from prō- "forward" plus gignere "to beget", originally meaning "one who begets".

Usage tips

  • Mainly a formal term in legal, medical, and academic contexts rather than everyday speech, and unlike English, which can mean ancestor or founder, Spanish progenitor means a biological or legal parent.

Other meanings

  • ancestornoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word