infant

1 of 2

noun

in·​fant ˈin-fənt 

1

: a child in the first period of life

2

: a person who is not of full age : minor

infant

2 of 2

adjective

1

: intended for young children

2

: being in an early stage of development

3

: of, relating to, or being in infancy

Synonyms

Noun

• babe
• baby
• bambino
• child
• neonate
• newborn

Examples of infant in a Sentence

Noun

a study of health problems that can affect young infants

He showed us a picture of his infant daughter.

Adjective

She is an infant teacher.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In September 2023, Oliver, the baby’s father, was indicted by a grand jury in Multnomah County on multiple charges, including second-degree manslaughter, third-degree rape, first-degree criminal mistreatment and concealing the birth of an infant, police said. —Nicole Acosta, Peoplemag, 23 July 2024

Signs of a gifted infant include extreme alertness, the ability to remain calm while awake for longer periods, and heightened sensitivity to sensory stimulation. —Carol Bainbridge, Parents, 23 July 2024

Adjective

The devilish Goblin King gave protagonist Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) 13 hours to break free of his supernatural maze in order to save her infant half-brother, Toby. —Marc Bernardin, EW.com, 11 Mar. 2024

The high contribution from the donor stem cells the research achieved is what gave the infant cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) a strange green tinge. —Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 10 Nov. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English enfaunt, from Anglo-French enfant, from Latin infant-, infans, from infant-, infans, adjective, incapable of speech, young, from in- + fant-, fans, present participle of fari to speak — more at ban entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing infant

• infant mortality
• infant school
• sudden infant death syndrome

Kids Definition

infant

noun

in·​fant

ˈin-fənt

: a child in the first period of life

infant adjective

Medical Definition

infant

noun

in·​fant ˈin-fənt 

1

a

: a child in the first year of life : baby

b

: a child several years of age

2

: a person who is not of full age : minor

infant adjective

Legal Definition

infant

noun

in·​fant ˈin-fənt 

: a person who is not of the age of majority : minor compare adult