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

Lesser said the administration also threatened to cut them off from federal child support payments totaling about $63 million. —Ct Mirror, Hartford Courant, 27 Feb. 2026

That December, in the county courthouse, Georgia Bird asked the court to hold Larry’s father in contempt — for failure to pay child support — and according to Larry, his father went dark. —Keith O'Brien, Rolling Stone, 22 Feb. 2026

Student loans, recent tax debt, alimony and child support obligations typically survive bankruptcy intact. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026

Jefferies heard stories of mothers challenged to pay rent when child support lapsed, or forced to make choices between food and medicine. —Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026

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.