toddler

noun

tod·​dler ˈtä-dᵊl-ər 

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

ˈtä-dᵊl-ər-ˌhu̇d 

ˈtäd-lər-

noun

Examples of toddler in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Unlike most toddlers with similar ambitions, however, Caldwell continued his excavation for over two years, until bedrock finally halted his efforts. —Namir Khaliq, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026

The man, who was driving, had injuries described as major, while the woman’s and toddler’s injuries were described as minor to moderate. —Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026

New York City is inviting some municipal workers to apply for free on-site child care for infants and toddlers, Mayor Mamdani announced Monday. —Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 30 Mar. 2026

Taylor began cooking over fire pits in her garden, sometimes with her then-toddlers (safely) helping out. —Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

toddler

noun

tod·​dler ˈtäd-lər 

-ᵊl-ər

: a young child

toddlerhood

-ˌhu̇d 

noun