preschool

1 of 2

adjective

pre·​school ˈprē-ˌskül 

(ˌ)prē-ˈskül

: of, relating to, or constituting the period in a child's life that ordinarily precedes attendance at elementary school

preschool

2 of 2

noun

pre·​school ˈprē-ˌskül 

: a school for children usually younger than those attending elementary school or kindergarten : nursery school

Synonyms of preschool

Noun

• nursery

Examples of preschool in a Sentence

Noun

children excited about starting preschool

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The very idea that a preschool-age child would need to maximize their ability to resist the treats an adult has dangled in front of them should offend you. —Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 16 June 2026

The two unions also are at odds over details in the state budget, such as financing preschool programs. —Dan Walters, Mercury News, 16 June 2026

Noun

Beginning in the late 1960s, a group of researchers conducted a series of experiments on children at a local preschool. —Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 16 June 2026

George started his schooling at a Montessori preschool in Norfolk when the couple lived mostly at Anmer Hall, their home on the royal family's Sandringham estate. —Simon Perry, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1914, in the meaning defined above

Noun

circa 1925, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for preschool

• ampoule
• bascule
• carpool
• cesspool
• ferrule
• footstool
• guayule
• lobule
• misrule
• pustule
• whirlpool
• boule

Kids Definition

preschool

1 of 2 adjective

pre·​school ˈprē-ˌskül 

: of, relating to, or being the period in a child's life to the age of five or six that ordinarily precedes attendance at school

preschool

2 of 2 noun

: a school for children usually younger than those attending elementary school or kindergarten : nursery school