child support

noun

: payment for the support of the children of divorced or separated parents while the children are minors or as otherwise legally required compare alimony

Examples of child support in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The only exceptions involve federal obligations like child support, federal taxes or federal student loans. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025

Darius McCrary has been released from a Michigan jail weeks after a long-running child support case led to his October arrest. —Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Dec. 2025

Sheen was ordered to pay Mueller $55,000 a month in child support back in 2011 when the two finalized their divorce. —Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 8 Dec. 2025

Actress Brooke Mueller is taking her ex-husband, Charlie Sheen, to court over claims of unpaid child support. —Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 5 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for child support

• heliport
• nonsupport
• reexport
• teleport
• ultrashort
• abort
• airport
• alport
• athwart
• carport
• comport
• consort

Kids Definition

child support

noun

: payment for the support of the children of divorced or separated parents while the children are minors or as otherwise legally required compare alimony

Legal Definition

child support

noun

: payment made for the support of the children of divorced or separated parents while the children are minors or until they reach an age set by the separation agreement or in a court order compare alimony

Note: Child support is usually paid by the parent who is without custody. In the case of joint custody, both parents usually pay child support.