kindergarten

noun

kin·​der·​gar·​ten ˈkin-dər-ˌgär-tᵊn 

ˈkin-də-, 

-dᵊn

plural kindergartens

: a school or class for children usually from five to six years old

Examples of kindergarten in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

If passed, the restriction would encompass all public school districts and charter schools, ranging from kindergarten through the California State University system and California State University. —Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 29 Jan. 2026

Last June, Union shared an adorable video on TikTok from Kaavia's kindergarten graduation. —Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026

The California State Board of Education also needs to adopt instructional materials for students in kindergarten through eighth grade in English language arts and English language development by the beginning of 2027. —Sacbee.com, 26 Jan. 2026

The former kindergarten teacher has severe rheumatoid arthritis, and has been trapped for weeks on the 19th floor of her Kyiv tower block, 650 steps from the ground. —Derek Gatopoulos, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

German, from Kinder children + Garten garden

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for kindergarten

• carton
• garten
• marten
• parton
• quartan
• spartan
• tartan

Kids Definition

kindergarten

noun

kin·​der·​gar·​ten ˈkin-də(r)-ˌgärt-ᵊn 

-ˌgärd-

: a school or class for very young children

Etymology

from German kindergarten "a school for very young children," from kinder "children" and garten "garden"