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

• nonage
• springtime
• youth

Example Sentences

diseases that can occur in childhood

Both men had unhappy childhoods.

Recent Examples on the Web

Separation from a parent during childhood was associated with rates of diagnosis two to three times higher than among people whose families had remained intact. —Matthew M. Kurtz, Scientific American, 1 Mar. 2023

Cail began to swim competitively during childhood, her family told WMUR. —Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2023

During childhood, many of us Millennials only ever got to catch glimmers, like rare fireflies, of the sound known as new age. —Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 18 Feb. 2023

During Goro’s childhood, the great animator was mostly absent, cranking out masterpieces. —Sam Anderson, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2023

Models had their hoods on for a school-kid-in-detention look, and Sperry was the shoe sponsor of the show, a classic staple during Hilfiger’s childhood. —Irene Kim, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2023

Others experienced devastating losses or abuse during childhood. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2023

Vargas Jasa’s father relocated for jobs a few times during her childhood. —Brenda Muñoz Murguia, AZCentral.com, 12 Feb. 2023

During his childhood, Jim lived in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania and then attended Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles for college, according to LinkedIn. —Women's Health, 10 Feb. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing childhood

• second childhood
• childhood friend

• second childhood
• childhood friend

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