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

Democratic candidates emphasized relatability and personal hardship in their pitches, with contenders sharing narratives of childhood poverty, domestic violence, and economic struggle to connect with voters and establish themselves as understanding everyday Californians’ challenges. —Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026

Carlino and Martin had a lot of artwork from Anderson’s kids, while Chase Infiniti provided childhood photos for Carlino to decorate the house. —Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 22 Feb. 2026

But by the early 20th century, changing attitudes around early childhood and development had made the nursery a livelier environment. —Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 22 Feb. 2026

Their defence lawyers portrayed some as childhood victims of abuse, others as addicts. —Gaby Wood, Vogue, 21 Feb. 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