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

The preschool was closed Tuesday because of the election. —Joe Brandt, CBS News, 19 May 2026

As the silence stretched into preschool, the 33-year-old mother of four began to realize her daughter’s behavior might be something deeper than shyness. —Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 17 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