preschool

1 of 2

adjective

pre·​school ˈprē-ˌskül 

(ˌ)prē-ˈskül

: of, relating to, or constituting the period in a child's life that ordinarily precedes attendance at elementary school

preschool

2 of 2

noun

pre·​school ˈprē-ˌskül 

: a school for children usually younger than those attending elementary school or kindergarten : nursery school

Synonyms of preschool

Noun

• nursery

Examples of preschool in a Sentence

Noun

children excited about starting preschool

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Despite spanning five city blocks and stretching across several major roads, the development’s many facilities (including a college, preschool, exhibition space and retail) can all be accessed without stepping foot outside the campus. —Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 1 Jan. 2026

Nokomis Daycare Center was operating in good standing and is licensed to care for up to 71 children, including infants, toddlers and preschool-age children, according to the Minnesota Department of Human Services (MDHS) website. —Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 31 Dec. 2025

Noun

There, the little boy attended preschool in the Greenon Local School District. —Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 29 Dec. 2025

Then firebombing synagogues, preschools, people’s homes, people’s cars. —Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 21 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1914, in the meaning defined above

Noun

circa 1925, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for preschool

• ampoule
• bascule
• carpool
• cesspool
• ferrule
• footstool
• guayule
• lobule
• misrule
• pustule
• whirlpool
• boule

Kids Definition

preschool

1 of 2 adjective

pre·​school ˈprē-ˌskül 

: of, relating to, or being the period in a child's life to the age of five or six that ordinarily precedes attendance at school

preschool

2 of 2 noun

: a school for children usually younger than those attending elementary school or kindergarten : nursery school