infancy

noun

in·​fan·​cy ˈin-fən(t)-sē 

plural infancies

1

: early childhood

2

: a beginning or early period of existence

3

: the legal status of an infant

Examples of infancy in a Sentence

She was often sick during her infancy.

a skill developed in infancy

She has been a member of the church since its infancy.

Recent Examples on the Web

Ten years ago, the idea of mainstream EVs was still in its infancy, driven mostly by early adopters and tech enthusiasts. —Eileen Falkenberg-Hull, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025

When contracted in infancy or early childhood, hepatitis B is far more likely to become a chronic infection, silently damaging the liver over decades. —Kff Health News, Oc Register, 16 Sep. 2025

For the infancy of the band, that was really the philosophy and forefront for the foundations of the band. —Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025

These stages can occur over months or even years, though contracting measles in early infancy can result in a more rapidly evolving disease. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing infancy

• in one's infancy

Kids Definition

infancy

noun

in·​fan·​cy ˈin-fən-sē 

plural infancies

1

: early childhood

2

: a beginning or early period of existence

Medical Definition

infancy

noun

in·​fan·​cy ˈin-fən-sē 

plural infancies

1

: early childhood

2

: the legal status of an infant

Legal Definition

infancy

noun

in·​fan·​cy ˈin-fən-sē 

plural infancies

1

: the legal status of an infant : minority

2

: the affirmative defense of lacking legal capacity (as to make a contract or commit a crime) because of being too young and especially because one's age is below an age set by statute