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

Another inmate was freed after using $125 of commissary funds to pay child support they were being detained on. —Josh Wood, Louisville Courier Journal, 30 June 2025

Arrest warrants were issued for Brown for domestic violence and failing to pay child support. —Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 27 June 2025

Around the turn of the 20th century, fearing that immigrant children were overwhelming American cities, many local and state governments started requiring paternal child support. —Augustine Sedgewick, Time, 13 June 2025

She was arrested in 2024 for allegedly failing to make child support payments, per TMZ. —Kayla Grant, People.com, 18 June 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.