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 That changed in September after a 1-year-old died and three other children were sickened following exposure to a kilo of fentanyl at a Bronx day care. Clio Chang, Curbed, 15 Nov. 2023 According to the day care’s website, child-care services have resumed. Jasmine Hilton, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2023 They’re supposed to be in an office, and also available at home when their children are coughing and turned away from day care. Emma Goldberg, New York Times, 18 Oct. 2023 Two women who owned and operated a residential day care in California have been arrested after two toddlers drowned earlier this month. Pilar Arias, Fox News, 15 Oct. 2023 Clark said her office would be taking aim at day care centers run out of private homes like the one Mendez operated. Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2023 The day care had a capacity of eight children and could take care of up to four infants at a time. Natalie Kainz, NBC News, 4 Oct. 2023 The only complaint against the day care was about Greenwell’s conduct on video, which prompted the inspection, the spokesperson said in an email. Jasmine Hilton, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2023 Several other children were sickened at the day care and hospitalized. Alice Gainer, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'day care.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near day care

Cite this Entry

“Day care.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/day%20care. Accessed 3 Dec. 2023.

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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