childhood

noun

child·​hood ˈchī(-ə)ld-ˌhu̇d 

1

: the state or period of being a child

2

: the early period in the development of something

Synonyms of childhood

• youth
• adolescence

Examples of childhood in a Sentence

diseases that can occur in childhood

Both men had unhappy childhoods.

Recent Examples on the Web

Also largely unchanged since Presley's childhood is Tupelo Hardware (founded in 1926), where Elvis received his first guitar, a Kay acoustic, on his 11th birthday. —John Beifuss, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025

According to Di Giovanni, the trend aligns with the broader cycles of 30–40 year fashion returns and sits comfortably within both comfort-core and childhood regression movements that offer familiar softness in a chaotic world. —Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025

Miracle on 34th Street Six-year-old Susan has doubts about childhood’s most enduring miracle, Santa Claus. —Caitlin White, Variety, 10 Nov. 2025

For over 50 years, it’s been the morning soundtrack of childhood, making its bright colors, belly laughs and sing-along tunes a cozy ritual for many. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing childhood

• childhood friend
• second childhood

Rhymes for childhood

• allgood
• basswood
• beechwood
• bellwood
• birchwood
• boxwood
• boyhood
• brushwood
• cordwood
• dogwood
• driftwood
• falsehood

Kids Definition

childhood

noun

child·​hood ˈchīld-ˌhu̇d 

: the state or time of being a child

Medical Definition

childhood

noun

child·​hood ˈchīld-ˌhu̇d 

: the state or period of being a child