child

noun, often attributive

\ ˈchī(-ə)ld

plural children\ ˈchil-drən

, -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"

6 : product, result barbed wire … is truly a child of the plains— W. P. Webb

with child

: pregnant

Child

biographical name (1)

\ ˈchī(-ə)ld

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

Other Words from child Synonyms & Antonyms Is the word kid slang? More Example Sentences Learn More about child

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Synonyms & Antonyms for child

Synonyms: Noun

bairn [chiefly Scottish], bambino, bud, chap [Southern & Midland], chick, cub, juvenile, kid, kiddie (also kiddy), kiddo, moppet, sprat, sprout, squirt, whelp, youngling, youngster, youth

Antonyms: Noun

adult, grown-up

Is the word kid slang?

Some people worry that kid, when used of a child rather than a juvenile goat, is either slang or too colloquial to merit acceptance in standard English.

The fact is that we have been using kid to refer to a child that is human, rather than goatish, for more than three hundred years now. The Oxford English Dictionary notes that although this word was considered “low slang” when it first began being used, it had entered “familiar speech” by the 19th century.

In contemporary English, kid is neither slang nor improper. It is, however, most definitely informal, so those writing professionally or in a formal register might prefer to use child.

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

Police confirmed that the child remains found in Arkansas on Friday during a search belonged to Maleah. — Tiffany Diane Tso, refinery29.com, "Suspect In Maleah Davis Case Finally Speaks, Claims "Nothing Bad Happened"," 6 June 2019 Shultz, who has three children, Connor, Zachary, and Abigail, will undergo a treatment plan that includes six months of chemo, eight rounds, to start. — Dana Hunsinger Benbow, Indianapolis Star, "Eastern Hancock coach battling cancer, 'fastest-growing human tumor' that exists," 5 June 2019 So, should everyone in industrialized countries consider having fewer children, to reduce emissions? — Stephanie Bailey, CNN, "BirthStrike: The people refusing to have kids, because of climate change," 5 June 2019 The popular children’s TV show gets the live-action big-screen treatment in this adventure comedy about a girl (Isabela Moner) on a jungle mission to rescue her missing parents (Michael Peña, Eva Longoria). — Gary Thompson, https://www.inquirer.com, "It’s blockbuster season: Here are the movies you need to see this summer," 5 June 2019 The couple lives in South Beach and Honablue has two children in Beverly Hills, Yori, 16, and Avery, 14. — Shayne Benowitz, miamiherald, "Four local couples share their favorite summer activities, while making new memories with INDULGE," 4 June 2019 The two were married in 1993 and have four children. — NBC News, "Jeff Bezos reportedly set to buy three New York apartments for roughly $80M," 4 June 2019 The shooting has taken on a special significance for Wade, who has four children. — Aj Neuharth-keusch, USA TODAY, "Dwyane Wade surprises Marjory Stoneman Douglas students with speech at graduation," 3 June 2019 The couple settled in Ohio, but Khriss was unable to have children. — Cameron Knight, Cincinnati.com, "Man on death row for 1997 murder could be set free, sent home to Jordan," 3 June 2019

These 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.

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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

\ ˈchīld

plural children\ ˈchil-drən \

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

\ ˈchī(ə)ld

plural children\ ˈchil-drən, -dərn

Medical Definition of child

1 : an unborn or recently born person

2 : a young person especially between infancy and youth

with child

: pregnant

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child

noun

plural children

Legal 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.