infant

1 of 2

noun

in·​fant ˈin-fənt 

1

: a child in the first period of life

2

: a person who is not of full age : minor

infant

2 of 2

adjective

1

: intended for young children

infant clothes

2

: being in an early stage of development

an infant industry

3

: of, relating to, or being in infancy

Synonyms of infant

Noun

• child
• baby
• newborn
• toddler

Examples of infant in a Sentence

Noun

a study of health problems that can affect young infants

He showed us a picture of his infant daughter.

Adjective

She is an infant teacher.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Ninety-two of the infants were first exposed to the pain medicine in utero before 17 weeks of pregnancy, 67 were first exposed after 17 weeks, and 143 were born to mothers who had not used the drug. — Nancy Lapid, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026

It’s linked to maternal and infant health disparities, including preterm births, low birth weight, maternal depression, infant death and chronic illness. — Mona Hanna, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026

Adjective

The program is linked to a 32% drop in infant maltreatment reports, which represents a massive prevention of child welfare involvement. — Mona Hanna, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026

Having been born just six weeks prior, on June 21, the infant heir was christened Prince William Arthur Philip Louis by the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Music Room at Buckingham Palace. — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English enfaunt, from Anglo-French enfant, from Latin infant-, infans, from infant-, infans, adjective, incapable of speech, young, from in- + fant-, fans, present participle of fari to speak — more at ban entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing infant

• infant mortality
• infant school
• sudden infant death syndrome

Kids Definition

infant

noun

in·​fant

ˈin-fənt

: a child in the first period of life

infant adjective

Medical Definition

infant

noun

in·​fant ˈin-fənt 

1

a

: a child in the first year of life : baby

b

: a child several years of age

2

: a person who is not of full age : minor

infant adjective

Legal Definition

infant

noun

in·​fant ˈin-fənt 

: a person who is not of the age of majority : minor compare adult