kindergarten

noun

kin·​der·​gar·​ten ˈkin-dər-ˌgär-tᵊn 

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

Employment for elementary and kindergarten teachers is projected to show little or no growth through 2035, even with 99,400 positions opening annually. — Kellie Lauth, Forbes.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Boys enter kindergarten behind girls in terms of academic preparedness and in behavioral skills, such as the ability to socialize and regulate emotions. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 21 Sep. 2026

Roughly 78% of the children born in Orange County five years ago have enrolled in kindergarten in district-run schools. — Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026

The school serves approximately 1,300 students on three campuses, kindergarten through grade 12. — Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

German, from Kinder children + Garten garden

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for kindergarten

• carton
• garten
• marten
• parton
• spartan
• tartan

Kids Definition

kindergarten

noun

kin·​der·​gar·​ten ˈkin-də(r)-ˌgärt-ᵊn 

-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"