\
-dərn
\
Definition of child
(Entry 1 of 3)
1a : an unborn or recently born person
b dialect : a female infant
2a : a young person especially between infancy and youth a play for both children and adults
b : a childlike or childish person He is a child in most business matters.
c : a person not yet of age Under the law she is still a child.
3
usually
childe
\ˈchī(-ə)ld
\ , archaic
: a youth of noble birth
4a : a son or daughter of human parents Do you have any children?
b : descendant the children of Israel
5 : one strongly influenced by another or by a place or state of affairs a child of the streets a child of nature America has been called "the first child of the Enlightenment"
: pregnant
Child
biographical name (1)
\
Definition of Child (Entry 2 of 3)
Francis James 1825–1896 American ballad editor
Child
biographical name (2)Definition of Child (Entry 3 of 3)
Julia (Carolyn) 1912–2004 née McWilliams American chef
Keep scrolling for more
Other Words from child
Noun
\
adjective
Synonyms & Antonyms for child
Synonyms: Noun
bambino, bud, chick, cub, juvenile, kid, kiddie (also kiddy), kiddo, moppet, squirt, whelp, youngling, youngster, youth
Antonyms: Noun
Visit the Thesaurus for More
Examples of child in a Sentence
Noun
the birth of a child She's pregnant with their first child. a play for both children and adults All of their children are grown now. an elderly couple and their adult children Men are such children sometimes.
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Their children, meanwhile, were taken by U.S. Health and Human Services. — Phil Mccausland /, NBC News, "Government says around 2,551 migrant children still need reunification with parents," 14 July 2018 The opera, which originally cost $3.2 million to produce, consists of eight principal singers, 51 chorus members, 20 supers, two children, 234 costumes and 64 orchestral musicians. — Madeline Mitchell, Cincinnati.com, "Pink Floyd's 'The Wall' was turned into an opera and it's making its American debut in Cincinnati," 13 July 2018 Records in Fulton County, Ga., indicate that an attorney for McCoy began trying to evict Cordon and her two children from the property in July 2017, FOX 5 reported. — Dom Calicchio, Fox News, "In 911 call, woman claims home invasion may have 'something to do' with NFL player LeSean McCoy," 13 July 2018 The lifelong Naperville resident grew up on the family farm once located where Meadow Glens Elementary School stands today, one of 10 children, and often helped with the family cooking. — Judy Buchenot, Naperville Sun, "Suburban Cooks: Mints go from trash to treasured cookies," 13 July 2018 Teams visit local schools to tell the children about apprenticeships, and over 30% of trainees come from disadvantaged areas. — The Economist, "A welcome upgrade to apprenticeships," 12 July 2018 But despite fewer children in the county’s custody, problems persist. — Leah Asmelash, charlotteobserver, "How one woman wants to help foster care youth, and it involves cake," 12 July 2018 One child, three-year-old Walter Cullen, put a hand right on the Duchess' face. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Kids Couldn't Keep Their Hands Off of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in Ireland," 11 July 2018 The popular Home Depot craft table will also be returning, and is expected to serve up to 500 children, who will assemble small wooden projects. — Steve Smith, Courant Community, "Kidding Around The Center Set For July 17," 10 July 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'child.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Learn More about child
From the Editors at Merriam-Webster
8 Words for Other People's Children
8 Words for Other People's Children
Brats, ankle biters, and other holy terrors
Baby Fever
Baby Fever
The longing to have a child of one's own
'Childlike' vs. 'Childish'
'Childlike' vs. 'Childish'
The words have very different connotations
Phrases Related to child
Statistics for child
Last Updated
13 Oct 2018
Look-up Popularity
Time Traveler for child
The first known use of child was before the 12th century
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for child
child
noun
English Language Learners Definition of child
: a young person
: a son or daughter
: an adult who acts like a child : a childlike or childish person
See the full definition for child in the English Language Learners Dictionary
child
noun
\
Kids Definition of child
1 : an unborn or recently born person
2 : a young person of either sex between infancy and youth
3 : a son or daughter of any age My children are grown now.
child
noun
\
\
Medical Definition of child
1 : an unborn or recently born person
2 : a young person especially between infancy and youth
: pregnant
Keep scrolling for more
child
nounLegal Definition of child
1
: a son or daughter of any age and usually including one formally adopted — compare issue
Note:
The word child as used in a statute or will is often held to include a stepchild, an illegitimate child, a person for whom one stands in loco parentis, or sometimes a more remote descendant, such as a grandchild. In interpreting the word child as used in a will, the court will try to effectuate the intent of the person who made the will as it can be determined from the language of the will.
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on child
What made you want to look up child? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Great Scrabble Words—A Quiz
-
- Which of the following Q-without-U words means the number five in cards or dice?
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Share child
Resources for child