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

Here are five World Cup players who are married to their childhood sweethearts. — Emma Banks, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026

This recommendation also addresses a tragically common circumstance surrounding childhood drownings, when multiple adults are present and each assumes someone else is watching the child. — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

In an effort to overcome grief and find herself again, Hollis gets the idea to host a weekend away at her house on Nantucket with three friends from different stages in her life—childhood, college, motherhood—and one surprise guest. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 17 July 2026

Back in Ithaca, his wife, Penelope (Anne Hathaway), and their grown son, Telemachus (Tom Holland), who hasn’t seen his father since childhood, cling uneasily to the hope that Odysseus is alive and on his way home. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 July 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