child-free
adjective
variants
or less commonly childfree
: without children: such as
a
: not including or allowing children : excluding children
a child-free vacation
Create a 3-foot child-free zone around hot spots like stoves, turkey fryers and ovens …—
The Sentinel (Carlisle, Pennsylvania)
The Sentinel (Carlisle, Pennsylvania)I hoped most of the parents invited to the wedding would consider it a nice "date-night" evening to have with their significant others, child-free.—Morris (Illinois) Daily Herald
Morris (Illinois) Daily HeraldWhile there have been several U.S.-based petitions for child-free flights, the practice is less likely to seep over into the American market …—Veronika Bondarenko
Veronika Bondarenko
b
usually childfree
: not having children especially by choice
Where there was once the traditional nuclear family of 2.4 children, we are now seeing an increasing number of people in different family units, whether that be childfree families, single-parent families, step or even extended families.—Lara Bealing
Lara Bealing… choosing to be a mother and choosing to be childfree are both decisions worth celebrating because the celebration is in the fact that a woman chose the trajectory of her life.—Phoebe Robinson
Phoebe RobinsonAbout two years ago when a promising relationship failed, she resigned herself to not having children and embraced all that is good about being child-free.—Mike Bruce
Mike BruceThere are various reasons why someone would be child-free by choice. Some hold the political idea that with overpopulation and resource shortages, being child-free is the ethical choice.—Rachel Cargle
compare childless
Rachel CargleExamples of child-free in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Some progressives seem fine with child-free propaganda.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
But without grandparents in tow or a kids club to rely on, how do parents carve out time to work and occasionally enjoy their destination child-free?
Nicole Cunningham, an attorney and mom to two boys, describes travel as her passion.
—Danielle Owen, Travel + Leisure, 20 Feb. 2025
Last year, a mom was cheered for turning up with her baby to a child-free wedding, while a man refused to attend his sister's child-free nuptials altogether.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025
That might ultimately mean some beloved relatives will miss out on a special occasion—certainly a downside to the child-free policy, but one that the couple likely weighed before making such an important decision.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 18 Feb. 2025
Understandably, life insurance may not be a fitting investment for child-free by-choice individuals.
—Jasmine Browley, Essence, 18 Feb. 2025
Cruising at times when kids are in school may mean fewer youngsters, but travelers looking for a child-free holiday may be better off booking with an adults-only company like Virgin Voyages.
—Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025
According to a Newsweek article, child-free weddings have sparked heated debates online, with couples facing criticism from family and friends who feel excluded or inconvenienced.
—Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
Moment Couple Discover Their New Home Came With A Hidden Extra Building
By Soo Kim
Life and Trends Reporter
0
A video showcasing the setup of a child-free couple's home has captivated viewers on TikTok.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
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.
Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
But without grandparents in tow or a kids club to rely on, how do parents carve out time to work and occasionally enjoy their destination child-free?
Nicole Cunningham, an attorney and mom to two boys, describes travel as her passion.
—Danielle Owen, Travel + Leisure, 20 Feb. 2025
Last year, a mom was cheered for turning up with her baby to a child-free wedding, while a man refused to attend his sister's child-free nuptials altogether.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025
That might ultimately mean some beloved relatives will miss out on a special occasion—certainly a downside to the child-free policy, but one that the couple likely weighed before making such an important decision.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 18 Feb. 2025
Understandably, life insurance may not be a fitting investment for child-free by-choice individuals.
—Jasmine Browley, Essence, 18 Feb. 2025
Cruising at times when kids are in school may mean fewer youngsters, but travelers looking for a child-free holiday may be better off booking with an adults-only company like Virgin Voyages.
—Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025
According to a Newsweek article, child-free weddings have sparked heated debates online, with couples facing criticism from family and friends who feel excluded or inconvenienced.
—Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
Moment Couple Discover Their New Home Came With A Hidden Extra Building
By Soo Kim
Life and Trends Reporter
0
A video showcasing the setup of a child-free couple's home has captivated viewers on TikTok.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Child-free.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/child-free. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share