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

Peter goes back to work right away, and Marissa tries to keep her career alive during Milo's short naps, between reading articles on how to help with infant sleep and trying to get a few moments of shut eye herself. —Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025

Even the mainstream studio movie One Battle After Another hinges on the intimate drama of caretaking, the story unspooling after a woman abandons her infant. —Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025

Adjective

During the formative phase of the infant American republic, when its survival was still problematic, iconic founders performed a valuable function as reliable sources of unquestioned wisdom, a veritable gallery of Delphic oracles available on demand. —Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the leading cause of infant suffocation during sleeping hours is soft bedding. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 9 Sep. 2025

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