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

The organization’s focus areas are education, jobs and livelihood, and health—causes she’s cared about deeply since childhood. — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026

Another school turned into a crime scene; a violation of the sanctity of childhood. — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026

Look for opportunities to try rekindling creative practices from your childhood. — CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

The withdrawal of affection that defined both my parents’ childhoods was a common story in Chinese culture. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

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