Progenitor
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /pɹəʊˈd͡ʒɛn.ɪ.tə/ · Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Progenitor is a noun meaning A forefather, any of a person's direct ancestors.
Meaning
A forefather, any of a person's direct ancestors.
More Meanings
- A person from whom one or more people (dynasty, tribe, nation…) are descended.
- (biology) An ancestral form of a species.
- (figuratively) A predecessor of something, especially if also a precursor or model.
- (figuratively) Someone who originates something.
- A founder.
Example Sentences
ARPANET was the progenitor of the Internet.
Are neural progenitor cells infected by Zika virus?
Abraham, alias Ibrahim, is the presumed progenitor of both the Jewish and Arab peoples.
Word Forms
- progenitors
- progenitour
Synonyms for progenitor
Depending on context, synonyms include ancestor, primogenitor.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include primogenitor, ancestor, stem, ancestry, ancestral, strain.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.