kindergarten

noun

kin·​der·​gar·​ten ˈkin-dər-ˌgär-tᵊn How to pronounce kindergarten (audio)
ˈkin-də-,
-dᵊn
plural kindergartens
: a school or class for children usually from five to six years old

Examples of kindergarten in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
To think that kindergarten kids now know my name and my music? Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 22 May 2025 My daughter is in the third grade and has had hers since kindergarten. Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 22 May 2025 As a former kindergarten teacher, Doris Cole delighted in awakening curiosity and clarity in others. Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 19 May 2025 Keller and Fort Worth Over the past five years, the number of graduating seniors in the Keller school district has remained relatively flat, said a district spokesperson, but incoming kindergarten enrollment fell from 2,235 students in 2021-22 to 1,784 in 2024-25. Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for kindergarten

Word History

Etymology

German, from Kinder children + Garten garden

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kindergarten was in 1851

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Cite this Entry

“Kindergarten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kindergarten. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

kindergarten

noun
kin·​der·​gar·​ten ˈkin-də(r)-ˌgärt-ᵊn How to pronounce kindergarten (audio)
-ˌgärd-
: a school or class for very young children
Etymology

from German kindergarten "a school for very young children," from kinder "children" and garten "garden"

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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