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

Cothiere suggested expanding preschool opportunities, so children can begin reading at an earlier age. — Austin Horn july 16, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026

Educators in Castleberry say students who attend the summer program arrive ready in August, and research shows public preschool attendance correlates with higher third-grade reading and math performance. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 July 2026

Noun

When their 4-year-old daughter's preschool has leftover meat or bread, Chang's partner, Tina Chhous, offers to take it. — Arkansas Online, 26 July 2026

When their 4-year-old daughter’s preschool has leftover meat or bread, Chang’s partner, Tina Chhous, offers to take it. — Dee-Ann Durbin, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026

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