childhood

noun

child·​hood ˈchī(-ə)ld-ˌhu̇d How to pronounce childhood (audio)
Synonyms of childhoodnext
1
: the state or period of being a child
2
: the early period in the development of something

Synonyms of childhood

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Examples of childhood in a Sentence

diseases that can occur in childhood Both men had unhappy childhoods.
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.
In childhood, in adulthood, in her old age, Evans was besotted by dreams, turbulent, awesome, pictorial dreams. — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026 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 Throughout her childhood and into her teens, she’d land roles in a handful of films, as well as star in the web series Crown Lake. — Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026 For much of my childhood, my mother and I slept in the same bed—to stay warm in winter and to share the only cooling fan in summer. — Gloria Steinem, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for childhood

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of childhood was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing childhood

Rhymes for childhood

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Browse Nearby Words

child-free
childhood
childhood friend
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Cite this Entry

“Childhood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/childhood. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

childhood

noun
child·​hood ˈchīld-ˌhu̇d How to pronounce childhood (audio)
: the state or time of being a child

Medical Definition

childhood

noun
child·​hood ˈchīld-ˌhu̇d How to pronounce childhood (audio)
: the state or period of being a child
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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