kindergartner

noun

kin·​der·​gart·​ner ˈkin-dər-ˌgärt-nər How to pronounce kindergartner (audio)
ˈkin-də-, 
-ˌgärd-
Synonyms of kindergartnernext
1
: a child attending or of an age to attend kindergarten
2
: a teacher at a kindergarten

Examples of kindergartner in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This year, the minimum passing score for all grade levels ranged from 962 for high schoolers to 944 for kindergartners. — Rafael Carranza, ProPublica, 16 Sep. 2026 Palladino was a kindergartner in Brooklyn when classmates suddenly began being called over the school PA system to go home. — Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026 Then, on the first day, the coaches take kindergartners by the hand at the front gates and walk them to their teachers. — Jonaki Mehta, NPR, 7 Sep. 2026 Now after a few weeks in school, all kindergartners are expected to be ready to learn skills once taught in first grade. — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for kindergartner

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of kindergartner was in 1868

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Kindergartner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kindergartner. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

Kids Definition

kindergartner

noun
: a kindergarten pupil

More from Merriam-Webster on kindergartner

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster