graybeard

noun

gray·​beard ˈgrā-ˌbird How to pronounce graybeard (audio)
: an old man

Examples of graybeard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The boss man certainly has a soft spot for the graybeard – and Whitworth literally has a graying beard – who's been so exceptional over the years while protecting quarterbacks Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford, which is only a small part of what he's meant to the Rams. Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 9 Feb. 2022 Immediately, four dogs bound out of a modest pine log cabin, barking their fool heads off; there's George, a fluffy Newfoundland with a graybeard's tired face; Bunny, an Old English sheepdog; and Shih Tzus Clementine and Bear, the latter of whom cannot and will not be befriended. Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2021 The risks of playing football for the Broncos seem low, and even a graybeard like myself will hop a plane to Pittsburgh if the NFL allows me in the press box during these pandemic times. Mark Kiszla, The Denver Post, 18 June 2020 Sixteen years into the experiment, Twitter is a graybeard by internet years and by corporate standards. Matt Pearce, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2022 Joe Thornton, the Bruins' No. 1 draft pick in 1997, is now an NHL graybeard. Dan Shaughnessy, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Sep. 2022 While Diener is the graybeard of the team, 24-year-old Sacar Anim is the youngest. Ben Steele, Journal Sentinel, 20 July 2022 Tom Hanks, who became a star in 1984 with Splash, is now doing avuncular, graybeard roles. Kyle Smith, National Review, 1 June 2022 But the graybeard, six days shy of age 40, stopped 19 of 20 shots over the final 46:50 of regulation to send the Bruins and Capitals to overtime. BostonGlobe.com, 15 May 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'graybeard.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1565, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of graybeard was in 1565

Dictionary Entries Near graybeard

Cite this Entry

“Graybeard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/graybeard. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

graybeard

noun
gray·​beard ˈgrā-ˌbi(ə)rd How to pronounce graybeard (audio)
: an old man

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