infancy

noun

in·​fan·​cy ˈin-fən(t)-sē 

plural infancies

1

: early childhood

2

: a beginning or early period of existence

3

: the legal status of an infant

Examples of infancy in a Sentence

She was often sick during her infancy.

a skill developed in infancy

She has been a member of the church since its infancy.

Recent Examples on the Web

The bid, still in its infancy, comes after Harris County — where Houston is located, explored a tunnel system with a 10-figure price tag following the deadly flooding from Hurricane Harvey in 2017, according to the report. —Stuart Dyos, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Sep. 2025

In Hazel Park and Royal Oak Township, eligible mothers can get $1,500 while pregnant and then $500 a month during the first six months of infancy. —Nushrat Rahman, Freep.com, 3 Sep. 2025

But for some people, the stage for such changes may be set as early as infancy and require 20 years of brain maturation for the effects to become obvious, Weinberger said. —Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2025

The only survivors were Magdalena’s four children, ranging from ages 13 to infancy, who were left stranded and injured in the wilderness with no idea of how to escape. —Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 1 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing infancy

• in one's infancy

Kids Definition

infancy

noun

in·​fan·​cy ˈin-fən-sē 

plural infancies

1

: early childhood

2

: a beginning or early period of existence

Medical Definition

infancy

noun

in·​fan·​cy ˈin-fən-sē 

plural infancies

1

: early childhood

2

: the legal status of an infant

Legal Definition

infancy

noun

in·​fan·​cy ˈin-fən-sē 

plural infancies

1

: the legal status of an infant : minority

2

: the affirmative defense of lacking legal capacity (as to make a contract or commit a crime) because of being too young and especially because one's age is below an age set by statute