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 vaccine schedule outlines the immunizations recommended for all children and required for those in community settings like schools, day cares, colleges and group homes. Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026 The city’s distance requirements, which are identical to the city’s alcohol and tobacco restrictions, state that there must be 500 feet between cannabis businesses, and that cannabis businesses must be at least 500 feet from a school, commercial day care or residential treatment facility. Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 9 Mar. 2026 The multiphase $1 billion redevelopment — that included two hotels, a food hall, day care center and medical offices — reopened in 2020. Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026 Mendez, who owned Divino Niño day care center, and her husband, Garcia, were sentenced to 25 years to life in prison. Doha Madani, NBC news, 4 Mar. 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 12 Mar. 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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