toddler

noun

tod·​dler ˈtäd-lər How to pronounce toddler (audio)
ˈtä-dᵊl-ər
plural toddlers
: a person who toddles
especially : a young child usually between one and three years old
It's no secret that kids need plenty of sleep. For a preschooler (3 to 5 years old), that's as much as 11 to 13 hours, including naps; for a toddler (1 to 3), 12 to 14 hours; for a baby under 1, 14 to 15 hours. Stacey Colino
toddlerhood
ˈtäd-lər-ˌhu̇d How to pronounce toddler (audio)
ˈtä-dᵊl-ər-
noun

Examples of toddler in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Missing Hiker in New Jersey Found Safe After Being Seen on Ring Camera: 'A Positive Resolution' The toddler returned home uninjured, according to SHAES. Abigail Adams, Peoplemag, 6 Mar. 2024 The father called 911 to report his vehicle and his toddler daughter were missing. Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 2024 Visiting Disney World with toddlers, babies A number of resources are available across Disney World for guests with young children. Eve Chen, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2024 Vang said the toddler did not have his diaper changed that morning and was told to stand and pray at the foot of Vang’s bed, the complaint reads. Paradise Afshar, CNN, 27 Feb. 2024 The scourge of fentanyl has claimed the lives of five Bay Area infants or toddlers since 2020. Scooty Nickerson, The Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2024 Join now Many Californians — especially those with low incomes — can’t afford the costs or time to make such a long drive, especially for the multiple visits recommended each year for a baby or toddler. Jenny Gold, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2024 Investigators said McCardell barricaded his kids — two toddlers — inside the family’s home and held them hostage as a special response team swarmed the residence on Nov. 16, 2022, WJBF reported. Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2024 All in, however, data from the US Department of Labor show the annual cost for care of just one child — whether infant, toddler, pre-school or school-age — can easily eat up 15% to 20% of the median family income in many counties across the country. Jeanne Sahadi, CNN, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'toddler.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of toddler was in 1815

Dictionary Entries Near toddler

Cite this Entry

“Toddler.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toddler. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

toddler

noun
tod·​dler ˈtäd-lər How to pronounce toddler (audio)
-ᵊl-ər
: a young child
toddlerhood noun

More from Merriam-Webster on toddler

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