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

The numerous standards are key to preparing Head Start kids for kindergarten, said Ruth Friedman, who helped Democratic President Barack Obama's administration draft the regulations now in jeopardy. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026

The events are open to families with children in kindergarten through 12th grade. — Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026

Beijing in recent years has rapidly expanded mandates for schools in ethnic minority regions to adopt primarily Chinese-language education, starting from kindergarten. — CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026

Master Basic Skills Children who have a few basic skills under their belt tend to feel more comfortable in class, says Mary Reede, a veteran kindergarten teacher. — Fiona Tapp, Parents, 1 Aug. 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"