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

There was a palpable sense of pride in the city that Catherine had chosen to spotlight its pioneering approach to preschool education - one that has since been replicated in countries across the world. —Max Foster, CNN Money, 13 May 2026

Hatcher said preschool isn’t fully funded in Indiana, which doesn’t create the same opportunities for all children. —Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2026

Noun

After getting the boot from his old preschool, Stewie is forced to enroll in a new one that’s not exactly top-of-the-line. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 11 May 2026

This past week in Queens, New York, multiple Jewish homes, a synagogue and a Jewish community center housing a preschool were vandalized with swastikas and antisemitic graffiti, raising alarm among residents. —Ariella Noveck, FOXNews.com, 10 May 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