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

Noun

• nursery

Examples of preschool in a Sentence

Noun

children excited about starting preschool

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Combined with other government programs, that means 40% of preschool seats in the county are now publicly funded, said Ryan Yambra, county communications coordinator. —Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025

Adrianna is Owen’s cousin Like Owen and Lauryn, Adrianna also attended Beal City High School, which serves students from preschool through 12th grade. —Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025

Noun

Sutton’s videos help prepare toddlers for life’s little firsts, from visiting the zoo to starting preschool. —Keyaira Boone, Essence, 18 Sep. 2025

The county is scaling up the program each year, Yambra said, and is on track to have universal preschool for all county residents (11,000 seats) by 2030. —Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025

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