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
The goal of the Family Place Libraries program is to encourage libraries to be a family-friendly environment and transform them into community centers for literacy, early childhood development, parent education and engagement, family support and community information.
—
Barbara D. Hathaway, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Moss has heard this voice, and others like it, since childhood.
—Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024
Bezos has also been involved with early childhood education efforts in the Louisville area, with plans to open four Bezos Academy locations here.
—Keely Doll, The Courier-Journal, 21 Nov. 2024
Cher was briefly raised by nuns Cher’s early childhood was peppered with bouts of extreme poverty and tenuous.
—Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for childhood 
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.
Barbara D. Hathaway, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Moss has heard this voice, and others like it, since childhood.
—Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024
Bezos has also been involved with early childhood education efforts in the Louisville area, with plans to open four Bezos Academy locations here.
—Keely Doll, The Courier-Journal, 21 Nov. 2024
Cher was briefly raised by nuns Cher’s early childhood was peppered with bouts of extreme poverty and tenuous.
—Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for 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 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share