child support

noun

|Updated on: 5 Aug 2018

Definition of child support

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

See child support defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of child support from the Web

Divorce lawyers now fear both parties will fight harder, and that the fallout could also impact child support payments, which are often calculated in tandem with alimony settlements.

— brittany shoot, Fortune, "Financial Planners Are Warning Wealthy Clients That Trump's Tax Reform Is Making Divorce Much More Expensive," 9 July 2018
Dwight Jones was ordered to pay $550 per month in child support.

— michael kiefer, azcentral, "Scottsdale shooting suspect left divorce full of discord, YouTube channel full of grudges," 4 June 2018
Greenaway ordered Richard to pay Iseler $1.86 million in back child support.

— vic ryckaert, Indianapolis Star, "He abandoned his family 25 years ago. Now Richard Hoagland owes them $2 million," 29 May 2018
Wage garnishment limits for child support and alimony are typically higher than for other types of debts.

— james agnew, USA TODAY, "Dealing with debt: Understanding wage garnishment and how to avoid it," 12 Apr. 2018
The proposal would update how child support payments are calculated.

— jessie balmert, Cincinnati.com, "Restoring faith after FBI probe, GOP feud? Lawmakers pass 28 proposed laws," 7 June 2018
The man was also found to have active warrants out of the Medina County Sheriff's Office for failure to make child support payments and for failure to appear for traffic offenses.

— brian lisik/special to cleveland.com, cleveland.com, "Man arrested for disorderly conduct outside nightclub: Brunswick Police Blotter," 10 Dec. 2017
The plaintiff, an Illinois child support worker named Mark Janus, is backed by businessman Richard Uihlein, a wealthy GOP donor who helped dismantle unions in Wisconsin.

— chicagotribune.com, "Unions brace for loss of members and fees in wake of Supreme Court ruling," 28 June 2018
Bates had used investor money on personal expenses, including his son’s college tuition and his daughter’s child support, as well as to support a lavish lifestyle.

— patrick danner, San Antonio Express-News, "Uresti’s co-defendant set to be sentenced," 27 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'child support.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of child support

1901

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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CHILD SUPPORT Defined for English Language Learners

child support

noun

Definition of child support for English Language Learners

: money that a former husband or wife must pay regularly to help raise a child

Law Dictionary

child support

noun

legal Definition of child support

: 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.