1. the practice of exempting someone or something from a new rule or regulation because they existed before the rule was introduced
Usage: common in legal and regulatory contexts

1. to exempt (a person, business, or thing) from a new rule or regulation because of prior existence or use
Usage: present participle of grandfather

Examples

• The new emissions standards included grandfathering for vehicles manufactured before 2010.
• The company is grandfathering existing customers into the old pricing plan.
• Grandfathering allows older buildings to avoid compliance with updated building codes.
• They decided against grandfathering any exceptions to the new policy.
• The regulation includes grandfathering provisions for businesses already in operation.
• By grandfathering current employees, the firm avoided immediate payroll increases.