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

Transitional kindergarten 4-year-olds became fully phased-in last year. —Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026

Oakwood Elementary School, a school that serves kindergarten through eighth grade students, is the only school surrounding the Cactus High School area that operates over capacity. —Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 8 Jan. 2026

The Florida Department of Education estimates that 75% of children who enter kindergarten behind will never catch up to their classmates. —Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2026

In the area, 40 schools serve kindergarten through fifth grade; 30 serve sixth through eighth grade; and only 20 provide a high school education. —Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 8 Jan. 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
• quartan
• 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"