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

As same-day voters go to the polls for the midterm elections next week, the Supreme Court will hear a major religious liberty case over a Colorado universal preschool program with implications beyond the Centennial State. — Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 30 Oct. 2026

New Horizon Academy offers daycare and preschool programs at facilities across eight states. — Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 30 Oct. 2026

Noun

Her day job as a director of a local preschool means the agony and ecstasy of six figure bidding wars happens largely after Plant has clocked off. — Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026

But in arguments that spanned two hours on Tuesday, the court's conservative majority appeared likely to rule in favor of the Catholic preschools. — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 3 Nov. 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