kennedy
kennedy — biographical name
1. the United States' 35th chief executive, who led the country from 1961 until his
the United States' 35th chief executive, who led the country from 1961 until his assassination in 1963, and is remembered for defusing the Cuban Missile Crisis and advancing civil‑rights legislation.
Adina's history report focused on John F. Kennedy's speech at the Berlin Wall in 1963.
full name 'John F. Kennedy' in formal historical reference
The Kennedy presidency is often called 'Camelot' because of its youthful energy and glamorous image.
possessive 'Kennedy' + noun
Many older Americans remember where they were when Kennedy was shot in Dallas.
The Kennedy Library in Boston holds thousands of documents from his White House years.
- Kennedy administration
- Kennedy assassination
- Kennedy family
Usage Note
Commonly shortened to 'JFK', 'John F. Kennedy', or simply 'Kennedy' when context is clearly presidential. 'John Fitzgerald Kennedy' is the full formal name.
Common Mistakes
2. an American politician who served as U.S. attorney general from 1961 to 1964 und
an American politician who served as U.S. attorney general from 1961 to 1964 under his brother President John F. Kennedy and later became a U.S. senator from New York, before being murdered in 1968 while campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Robert F. Kennedy confronted organized crime aggressively during his time as attorney general.
formal full reference 'Robert F. Kennedy'
Kabir wrote about Bobby Kennedy's 1967 visit to a poor rural community in Mississippi.
informal nickname 'Bobby Kennedy'
Kennedy's presidential campaign emphasized racial equality and an end to the Vietnam War.
Anya watched a documentary about Robert Kennedy's funeral train as mourners lined the route.
- Kennedy campaign
- Kennedy assassination
Usage Note
Often called 'RFK', 'Robert Kennedy', 'Bobby Kennedy' in informal contexts, or 'Senator Kennedy' during his Senate years. The nickname 'Bobby' is common in American media but may feel too casual in formal writing.
Common Mistakes
3. an American politician who served as a U.S. senator from Massachusetts for nearl
an American politician who served as a U.S. senator from Massachusetts for nearly 47 years, from 1962 until his death in 2009, and is remembered for his work on healthcare reform, disability rights, and immigration policy.
Ted Kennedy was a leading voice in the Senate for universal health coverage for decades.
first name + surname for familiar reference
Senator Kennedy worked with President George W. Bush on the No Child Left Behind Act.
title 'Senator Kennedy' in legislative context
The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate opened in Boston in 2015.
full formal name 'Edward M. Kennedy'
In 2008 Ted Kennedy gave an emotional speech at the Democratic National Convention despite his illness.
- Kennedy healthcare bill
- Kennedy Senate career
Usage Note
Formally 'Edward Moore Kennedy', commonly 'Ted Kennedy' or 'Senator Kennedy'. In the Senate context, 'Kennedy' alone can refer to him, but when the broader family is discussed, the first name 'Ted' prevents confusion with other family members.
Common Mistakes
4. a wealthy financier and U.S. ambassador who amassed the Kennedy family fortune,
a wealthy financier and U.S. ambassador who amassed the Kennedy family fortune, served in London just before World War II, and was the father of President John F. Kennedy, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and Senator Ted Kennedy.
Joseph P. Kennedy amassed his fortune in banking and the liquor trade before entering politics.
full name 'Joseph P. Kennedy' for the patriarch
Ambassador Kennedy's cautious stance on Britain's chances against Nazi Germany damaged his diplomatic reputation.
title 'Ambassador' + surname
The compound at Hyannis Port was where Joseph Kennedy gathered his growing family each summer.
Historian Zola described Joseph Kennedy's role in financing Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidential campaigns.
- Kennedy family fortune
- Kennedy compound
Usage Note
Often called 'Joseph P. Kennedy' or 'Joe Kennedy Sr.' to distinguish him from his son Joseph P. Kennedy II and grandson Joseph P. Kennedy III, who also entered politics.
Common Mistakes
5. an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court who served from 1988 to 2018 and
an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court who served from 1988 to 2018 and was often the deciding vote on socially divisive issues, such as same‑sex marriage and affirmative action.
Justice Kennedy wrote the majority opinion in Obergefell v. Hodges, legalizing same‑sex marriage nationwide.
name used with formal title 'Justice'
Law students debated whether Kennedy's retirement would shift the ideological balance of the Court.
surname alone to refer to the justice
Professor Meera discussed how Kennedy's swing‑vote position affected rulings on campaign finance.
Professor Rania's lecture examined how Kennedy's jurisprudence evolved over his thirty years on the bench.
Usage Note
When referring to this justice in legal contexts, either 'Justice Kennedy' or simply 'Kennedy' is standard. Do not confuse with the political Kennedy family of Massachusetts.
Common Mistakes
Synonym discussion
Sense: biographical name/1
Since each sense refers to a distinct historical figure, synonym comparison does not apply to this entry.
Common collocations
Nouns
- Kennedy family
- Kennedy administration
- Kennedy compound
- Kennedy assassination
- Kennedy Library
Phrases
- the Kennedy political dynasty
- the Kennedy brothers
Etymology
The surname Kennedy comes from the Irish Ó Cinnéide, meaning 'descendant of Cinnéidigh' — a personal name thought to mean 'helmet-headed' or 'armoured head'. It arrived in America with Irish immigrants in the 19th century and became world‑famous through the political family of Massachusetts.