grandfather clause: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, legal, administrative, business, historical
Quick answer
What does “grandfather clause” mean?
A provision in a new law or regulation that exempts existing people, businesses, or situations from the new requirements.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A provision in a new law or regulation that exempts existing people, businesses, or situations from the new requirements.
Any rule, policy, or agreement that allows pre-existing entities to continue operating under old rules while new entrants must comply with updated, stricter standards.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is understood in British English but is used less frequently than in American English. In the UK, similar concepts might be referred to as 'legacy provisions' or 'existing use rights'.
Connotations
In American English, the term carries a strong historical weight due to its racist origins. In British English, the primary connotation is technical/legal, with less immediate association with its discriminatory history.
Frequency
Much more common in American English, especially in legal, regulatory, and business journalism.
Grammar
How to Use “grandfather clause” in a Sentence
The new regulation includes a grandfather clause for [EXISTING ENTITY].[ENTITY] is protected by a grandfather clause.They invoked the grandfather clause to [ACTION].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “grandfather clause” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The existing tenants were grandfathered into the new lease terms.
- The council agreed to grandfather the historic pub's signage.
American English
- Current subscribers will be grandfathered in at the lower rate.
- The law grandfathered all firearms manufactured before 1986.
adverb
British English
- The licence was granted grandfatherly.
American English
- The policy applies grandfatherly to legacy accounts.
adjective
British English
- There was a grandfather provision for existing buildings.
- He has a grandfather right to use the common land.
American English
- The grandfather provision protects my old health plan.
- She has a grandfather status that exempts her from the exam.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The merger agreement contained a grandfather clause allowing the acquired company's employees to keep their original pension plans.
Academic
The study examined the long-term economic effects of regulatory grandfather clauses in the telecommunications industry.
Everyday
Our old wood-burning stove is still legal because of a grandfather clause in the new clean-air regulations.
Technical
The software update will not affect users with version 2.x installations due to a grandfather clause in the license agreement.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “grandfather clause”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “grandfather clause”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “grandfather clause”
- Using it as a verb incorrectly (e.g., 'They grandfather-claused the rule'). The correct verb is 'to grandfather'.
- Misspelling as 'grandfather cause'.
- Assuming it only has a neutral, technical meaning without acknowledging its discriminatory historical origin.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while originating in law, it is now used widely in business contracts, software licenses, building codes, and any set of rules where a change is applied only prospectively.
It can be, due to its historical roots in racist voting laws in the post-Civil War US South. In sensitive contexts, alternatives like 'legacy provision' or 'pre-existing condition exemption' may be preferred.
The verb is 'to grandfather' (in/into). For example: 'Existing users were grandfathered into the new pricing system.'
Yes, they often have sunset provisions or phased compliance schedules, after which the exemption ends and all parties must meet the new standard.
A provision in a new law or regulation that exempts existing people, businesses, or situations from the new requirements.
Grandfather clause is usually formal, legal, administrative, business, historical in register.
Grandfather clause: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡræn(d)ˌfɑːðə klɔːz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡræn(d)ˌfɑːðər klɔz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to be grandfathered in”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a literal grandfather who is allowed to keep driving his old car without a seatbelt because the law wasn't around when he learned, while his grandson must follow all the new rules.
Conceptual Metaphor
RULES ARE NEW CLOTHES (Old entities don't have to wear the new outfit).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary modern function of a grandfather clause?