childcare

noun

child·​care ˈchī(-ə)ld-ˌker How to pronounce childcare (audio)
variants or child care
: the care of children especially as a service while parents are working
Erratic week-to-week work schedules make it nearly impossible to manage a personal budget or secure childcare.David Dayen

Examples of childcare in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Also on the chopping block: community development grants that cities can spend on everything from childcare services to home repair for seniors. Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 2 May 2025 Understanding the Mental Load for Single Parents The mental load encompasses a variety of tasks, from cleaning and scheduling to managing childcare, social relationships, maintenance, finances, and more. Lia Miller, Parents, 1 May 2025 To be sure, no one bill can be a complete fix to the childcare crisis. Dr. Alissa Chen, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2025 Only active government policy can properly organize and supplement markets in producing many things the country cannot do without—such as vaccines, a stable manufacturing base, quality housing, childcare, and a decarbonized economy. Jennifer M. Harris, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for childcare

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of childcare was in 1896

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Cite this Entry

“Childcare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/childcare. Accessed 6 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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