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

These might still be in their infancy but promise a brand new tomorrow that will be drastically different from the present. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2026

When rideshare apps were still in their relative infancy, Orlando Vilchez Lazo was driving around San Francisco posing as a driver to pick up women coming out of bars and nightclubs. — Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Video effects back then were in their infancy and costly, but Geffen authorized an overrun and the errant Coke machine was transformed into an anonymous red blob. — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 15 Sep. 2026

This is particularly true for first-time business owners and companies still in their infancy. — Patrick Galleher, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026

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