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

Sierra and Rocky had known each other since kindergarten, when their classmate Jane Rustin had taken them aside after a reading of Ann Can Fly to observe that Rocky crossed his legs like a girl and Sierra crossed her legs like a boy. — Tom Drury, Harpers Magazine, 29 Sep. 2026

Riding bikes teaches kids confidence The activity is perfect for kindergarten physical education classes, says Drew Raney, a PE teacher in Wasco, Calif. — Cheyanne Mumphrey, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

The primary bedroom has built-ins and a walk-in closet; the second bedroom is smaller but could easily get you through at least kindergarten. — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 28 Sep. 2026

This royal name appears in a few Shakespeare plays and would be right at home in a kindergarten classroom today. — Kara Nesvig, Parents, 24 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"