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
The effort comes after claims of fraud involving day care centers run by Somali residents in Minneapolis prompted a massive immigration crackdown in the Midwestern city, resulting in widespread protests.
—
Arkansas Online, 26 Feb. 2026
In 2025, Ehardt co-sponsored a bill that would have removed ratios altogether — in a bid to increase the number of in-home day cares available by decreasing their regulation.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 25 Feb. 2026
The list included convenience stores, pet stores, pet groomers, day care centers with outdoor play areas, physical therapists, massage therapy and chiropractic offices, among others.
—Jennifer Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
Since border czar Tom Homan declared that the surge was winding down, federal officials have not provided updates on the issue of day care fraud.
—Nick Lentz, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for day care
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.
Arkansas Online, 26 Feb. 2026
In 2025, Ehardt co-sponsored a bill that would have removed ratios altogether — in a bid to increase the number of in-home day cares available by decreasing their regulation.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 25 Feb. 2026
The list included convenience stores, pet stores, pet groomers, day care centers with outdoor play areas, physical therapists, massage therapy and chiropractic offices, among others.
—Jennifer Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
Since border czar Tom Homan declared that the surge was winding down, federal officials have not provided updates on the issue of day care fraud.
—Nick Lentz, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for day care
Cite this Entry
“Day care.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/day%20care. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
