day care

noun

variants or less commonly daycare or day-care
1
: supervision of and care for children or physically or mentally disabled adults that is provided during the day by a person or organization
often used before another noun
a day care center
day care workers
day-care facilities
2
: a program, facility, or organization offering day care
a child enrolled in day care

Examples of day care in a Sentence

She left work early to pick up her son from day care.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The state budget year will also mark the launch of Pritzker’s new Department of Early Childhood as a stand-alone state agency, with day care licensing responsibilities and staff transferred from the Department of Children and Family Services. Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026 For the second time in less than a dozen years, the Georgia Supreme Court overturned the conviction of a former babysitter accused of killing an infant at her unlicensed day care. Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 18 Feb. 2026 On a recent morning at the adult day care center, a small crowd gathered as a robot called Mirokai made its way into the room. Itay Hod, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026 Proposals being floated by DFL senators and representatives include a bill to give Minnesotans more power to sue federal agents for constitutional violations, a local ban on masks for federal agents, and protections against immigration enforcement in locations like schools, hospitals and day cares. Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 15 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for day care

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of day care was in 1898

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Day care.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/day%20care. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

day care

noun
1
: supervision of and care for children or disabled adults that is provided during the day by a person or organization
2
: a program, facility, or organization offering day care
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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