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

The Bar’s emergency suspension petition claimed Spence had to make monthly child support payments through Williams. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025

This allows the state to determine whether child support or other obligations apply before releasing the payment. —Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Sep. 2025

Think child support payments for the parents of young children, think old-age pensions. —Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 7 Sep. 2025

In May, the divorce was settled, and the WWE star was ordered to pay her ex-husband a $200,000 lump sum as well as $3,500 in monthly child support. —Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for child support

• heliport
• nonsupport
• reexport
• teleport
• ultrashort
• abort
• airport
• alport
• athwart
• carport
• comport
• consort

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.