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

Catholic preschool providers and the parents of a preschool-age child challenged the requirement in court, arguing that forcing them to sign the agreement unconstitutionally burdened their faith. — Preston Green Iii, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026

The goal, executives say, is to create something that the preschool set will love, the kids who grew up watching CoComelon but are a bit older would appreciate, and that parents would enjoy. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026

Noun

The Catholic preschools’ argument had relied heavily on a series of Supreme Court decisions, starting in 2017, that involved religious schools and public funding – and shifted the wall between church and state in education. — Preston Green Iii, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026

Flames from the blaze burned right up to the playground of the synagogue's preschool, Rabbi Jay Siegel recalled. — Jeff Nguyen, CBS News, 13 Oct. 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