toddler

noun

tod·​dler ˈtä-dᵊl-ər How to pronounce toddler (audio)
ˈtäd-lər
plural toddlers
Synonyms of toddlernext
: a person who toddles
especially : a young child usually between one and three years old
It's no secret that kids need plenty of sleep. For a preschooler (3 to 5 years old), that's as much as 11 to 13 hours, including naps; for a toddler (1 to 3), 12 to 14 hours; for a baby under 1, 14 to 15 hours. —Stacey Colino
toddlerhood
ˈtä-dᵊl-ər-ˌhu̇d How to pronounce toddler (audio)
ˈtäd-lər-
noun

Examples of toddler in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The free meals program aims to combat malnutrition and reduce childhood stunting by providing meals to nearly 90 million students, toddlers and pregnant women. — ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026 Their opponents were Taiwan’s Chan Hao-ching and Australian Maya Joint, who, at 20 years old, was just a toddler when the Williams sisters won the 2009 US Open. — Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026 One pool caters squarely to families with younger kids, anchored by a colorful splash park with pint-sized slides, tipping buckets, fountains, and a shallow wading area for toddlers. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026 Schumer, who appeared to be at an indoor gathering, pulled her golden blonde hair back into a messy bun while sharing a sweet hug with the toddler. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for toddler

Word History

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of toddler was in 1815

Browse Nearby Words

toddle
toddler
toddy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Toddler.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toddler. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

toddler

noun
tod·​dler ˈtäd-lər How to pronounce toddler (audio)
-ᵊl-ər
: a young child
toddlerhood
-ˌhu̇d How to pronounce toddler (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on toddler

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for toddler

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about toddler

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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