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

• youth
• adolescence

Examples of childhood in a Sentence

diseases that can occur in childhood

Both men had unhappy childhoods.

Recent Examples on the Web

The committee is reviewing the childhood vaccine schedule. —Reuters, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025

The show, written by and starring Mulvaney, is inspired by her own childhood and trajectory in the public eye, while tapping into her musical theater training. —Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2025

After the loss of his father, a man attempts to utilize childhood nostalgia as a coping mechanism. —Zac Ntim, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2025

Rensch’s parents were pulled into the group, where the young chess wiz spent his childhood running around barefoot in a remote forest village. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 5 Oct. 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