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
His first name is in honor of Dutch Flat, the small California town where Gavin spent childhood summers with his dad, Judge William Newsom, who died in 2018.
—
Jacqueline Weiss, PEOPLE, 29 Dec. 2025
My travel safety education started during packing in my childhood home.
—Kristy Alpert, Travel + Leisure, 29 Dec. 2025
Shoe boxes are a great size for organizing all sorts of things, like socks, office supplies, and photos from your best childhood vacation ever.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2025
Clarence accesses George’s backstory, learning about his childhood and how his selflessness ultimately led to feelings of regret, with an innocent mistake nearly sending him over the edge.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for childhood
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Jacqueline Weiss, PEOPLE, 29 Dec. 2025
My travel safety education started during packing in my childhood home.
—Kristy Alpert, Travel + Leisure, 29 Dec. 2025
Shoe boxes are a great size for organizing all sorts of things, like socks, office supplies, and photos from your best childhood vacation ever.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2025
Clarence accesses George’s backstory, learning about his childhood and how his selflessness ultimately led to feelings of regret, with an innocent mistake nearly sending him over the edge.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for childhood
Cite this Entry
“Childhood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/childhood. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.
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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