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
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 suit said SpaceX attempted to help the former supervisor avoid paying child support even after leaving the company in 2022. —Erin Mansfield, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024 Blanchard also set up a payment plan for Gonzales to pay about $6,500 in unpaid child support and interest, and ordered him to pay Ortiz’s lawyer fees, later determined to be $12,000. —Ray Stern, The Arizona Republic, 16 Oct. 2024 Tyrese Gibson was reportedly detained after a contentious court hearing in Atlanta on Monday over unpaid child support amid his ongoing separation from ex-wife Samantha Lee. —Jessica Wang, EW.com, 10 Sep. 2024 Her state may be a community property state; her husband may have to pay maintenance and will surely have to pay child support. —R. Eric Thomas, The Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for child support 

Word History

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of child support was in 1901

Dictionary Entries Near child support

childs

child support

child welfare

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Child support.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/child%20support. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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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.

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