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
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
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.
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Kids Definition
day care
noun1
: 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
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