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

Beets served as a preschool special education assistant with the Greenview Child Development Center, part of Greenville County Schools, according to the center’s website. —David Chiu, PEOPLE, 8 Jan. 2026

Patty Hocking who loved working with kids, served as a local preschool teacher for several years before retiring, and was known to keep a busy schedule. —Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026

Noun

Along with Family First’s growth through becoming a licensed behavioral clinic, Chenier said the organization continues to work in the community, operating a preschool at Lions Math and Science Christian Academy and after-school activities at PADS of Lake County. —Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026

New York City already has universal preschool for 4-year-old children, and offers 3-K, or early childhood education for 3-year-old students. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 8 Jan. 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