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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web And the savings accounts would be available only to students currently attending public schools and children entering kindergarten, not those already in private schools. Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC News, 21 Mar. 2023 Falling debris in southern Kherson damaged seven houses and a kindergarten overnight Friday. Christine Fernando, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2023 The bill would extend ESAs worth $6,000 to students who attend failing public schools—schools that rank in the bottom 25% in the state—or to any student entering kindergarten or first grade. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 16 Mar. 2023 The missile also damaged buildings, a kindergarten, a museum and an administration office. Katya Soldak, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2023 The impact damaged nine apartment blocks, a kindergarten, a local bank branch and two cars, said regional Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko. Karl Ritter, Anchorage Daily News, 14 Mar. 2023 Subscribe Biden’s budget would spend billions of dollars in funding for public housing, free community college, child care, and universal pre-kindergarten, all proposals included in the Build Back Better Act. Grace Segers, The New Republic, 10 Mar. 2023 Christian Child Care - Closed, No kindergarten or preschool Harmony Montessori School - 2 Hours Late. oregonlive, 26 Feb. 2023 In January, the district received 91% of the choice zone applicants for incoming kindergarten, sixth and ninth grade students. Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 17 Feb. 2023 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'kindergarten.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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

Dictionary Entries Near kindergarten

Cite this Entry

“Kindergarten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kindergarten. Accessed 27 Mar. 2023.

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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