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
Examples of childhood in a Sentence
diseases that can occur in childhood
Both men had unhappy childhoods.
Recent Examples on the Web
Early childhood experts say that reaction makes sense.
—
Meg Anderson, NPR, 22 Mar. 2026
John Martinez, who spent his childhood summers working on his knees picking prunes that would shake from the trees along Capitol Avenue, remembers Chavez attending a community dance to thank everyone for raising money to help the poor.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026
Before asking the judge to extend his client’s probation term, Carrillo’s public defender Derek Dlhy brought up Carrillo’s childhood of abuse and neglect, as well as mental health issues.
—Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Chapters alternate between Sam as a boy and as a man, a strategy that allows the reader to be reassured that Sam will survive his childhood trials.
—The Know, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for childhood
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Meg Anderson, NPR, 22 Mar. 2026
John Martinez, who spent his childhood summers working on his knees picking prunes that would shake from the trees along Capitol Avenue, remembers Chavez attending a community dance to thank everyone for raising money to help the poor.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2026
Before asking the judge to extend his client’s probation term, Carrillo’s public defender Derek Dlhy brought up Carrillo’s childhood of abuse and neglect, as well as mental health issues.
—Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026
Chapters alternate between Sam as a boy and as a man, a strategy that allows the reader to be reassured that Sam will survive his childhood trials.
—The Know, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for childhood
Cite this Entry
“Childhood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/childhood. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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