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 nine documents are divided into three glass cases, each one marking different moments in America’s infancy. —Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 18 June 2026

Thus, the solar system's most massive world played a key role in distributing elements throughout the solar system, including those vital to life that were later delivered to Earth by asteroids that impacted our planet in its infancy. —Kiona N. Smith, Space.com, 17 June 2026

And as if that wasn’t enough, the biggest, most in-your-face reason to applaud Genesis for its performance last weekend simply comes down to the fact that the automaker is still in its infancy. —Jerry Perez, The Drive, 17 June 2026

The probe is in its infancy and investigators cannot make any immediate findings, National Transportation Safety Board vice chairman Michael Graham said. —Selina Guevara, NBC news, 15 June 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