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childhood
noun
child·hood
ˈchī(-ə)ld-ˌhu̇d
1
: the state or period of being a child
2
: the early period in the development of something
Examples of childhood in a Sentence
diseases that can occur in childhood
Both men had unhappy childhoods.
Recent Examples on the Web
My character, Valya, is driven by something that happened to her as a young woman and the unhappiness of her childhood.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
Melania’s Be Best initiative was supposed to promote childhood well-being and to curb bullying.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024
The company, which went public on the New York Stock Exchange on Oct. 9, is the largest provider of early childhood education services in the U.S., with the capacity to serve more than 210,000 children across roughly 2,500 sites.
—Pia Singh, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2024
These beliefs often come from childhood experiences, where success or approval might have been conditional—tied to good grades, behavior or external validation.
—Shay Levister, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for childhood
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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
Articles Related to childhood
Dictionary Entries Near childhood
Cite this Entry
“Childhood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/childhood. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
childhood
noun
child·hood
ˈchīld-ˌhu̇d
: the state or time of being a child
Medical Definition
childhood
noun
child·hood
ˈchīld-ˌhu̇d
: the state or period of being a child
More from Merriam-Webster on childhood
Nglish: Translation of childhood for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of childhood for Arabic Speakers
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