toddler

noun

tod·​dler ˈtä-dᵊl-ər How to pronounce toddler (audio)
ˈtäd-lər
plural toddlers
: a person who toddles
especially : a young child usually between one and three years old
It's no secret that kids need plenty of sleep. For a preschooler (3 to 5 years old), that's as much as 11 to 13 hours, including naps; for a toddler (1 to 3), 12 to 14 hours; for a baby under 1, 14 to 15 hours. Stacey Colino
toddlerhood noun

Examples of toddler in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
At Southeast Georgia Health System in Brunswick, Ga., doctors determined that the toddler — who was born with only one kidney — was falling into multiple organ failure with his heart, liver and kidney shutting down. Michael Nied, People.com, 27 June 2025 Two toddlers sitting down at table eating watermelon. Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025 The injured toddler was later transferred to Cook Children’s. Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 June 2025 The youngest Gen Zers, born in 2012, were toddlers at that time. Emma Sarappo, The Atlantic, 25 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for toddler

Word History

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of toddler was in 1815

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Cite this Entry

“Toddler.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toddler. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

toddler

noun
tod·​dler ˈtäd-lər How to pronounce toddler (audio)
-ᵊl-ər
: a young child
toddlerhood noun

More from Merriam-Webster on toddler

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