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

Mom of three and AD contributor Vy Yang can attest that this durable rocker remains a favorite cozy seat in the home well into the preschool years. — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 24 June 2026

The four-week program with 26 preschool educators from a large, urban school district in the Northeast aimed to help adults feel more comfortable responding to kids’ grief and loss. — Keisha M. Wint, The Conversation, 23 June 2026

Noun

Beginning in August, district guidelines will prohibit in-school screen time from preschool through first grade. — Audience Editor, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2026

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

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