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

Discount retailing was in its infancy, but Price’s success spurred competitors such as Kmart, Target, and Walmart, all of which opened in 1962. —Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025

The road ahead for biocomputing While the technology is still in its infancy, researchers see vast potential in biocomputing. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2025

The infancy of the internet in 1999 allowed the filmmakers to pull off one of the greatest marketing campaigns of all time. —Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025

Players were doubtful; the internet was still in its relative infancy in 2009. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 19 Oct. 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