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

What happens with custody or child support if the baby hasn’t been born yet? —Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Sep. 2025

These grants will provide Veterans with assistance in landlord-tenant disputes to prevent eviction, support during child support or custody proceedings, and guidance on estate planning. —Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025

In addition to salary and wages, be sure to include other types of income, such as dividends, interest and child support. —Lynn Mayabb, Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2025

The Bar’s emergency suspension petition claimed Spence had to make monthly child support payments through Williams. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 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.