child support

noun

: payment for the support of the children of divorced or separated parents while the children are minors or as otherwise legally required compare alimony

Examples of child support in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Court documents reviewed by Fox News Digital showed that Jabbar missed child support payments to the couple's children. —Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 1 Jan. 2025

Weaver appeared on 2019 and 2021 lists from the county of people who are allegedly delinquent in their child support payments. —Raven Brunner, People.com, 26 Dec. 2024

The 113,000-square-foot facility is slated to house employment and human services, health services, the clerk-recorder’s office, veterans services, child support services, probation, the district attorney, the public defender, and Burgis’ office. —Hema Sivanandam, The Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2024

Two warrants have been issued for former NFL star Adrian Peterson stemming from two separate child support cases. —Gord Magill, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

child support

noun

: payment for the support of the children of divorced or separated parents while the children are minors or as otherwise legally required compare alimony

Legal Definition

child support

noun

: payment made for the support of the children of divorced or separated parents while the children are minors or until they reach an age set by the separation agreement or in a court order compare alimony

Note: Child support is usually paid by the parent who is without custody. In the case of joint custody, both parents usually pay child support.