child support

noun

: payment for the support of the children of divorced or separated parents while the children are minors or as otherwise legally required compare alimony

Examples of child support in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The investigation also reported issues related to Flora’s child support payments and significant campaign spending on food, travel and lodging. —Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 23 Apr. 2026

Among the other programs needing upgrades include PRISM for child support that dates back to 1997 and SSIS from 1994, which is used for social services. —Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026

In September 2017, a judge granted Elkins and Sariahh’s mother joint custody following a petition to determine paternity and establish child support, according to court records reviewed by NBC News. —Ryan Chandler, NBC news, 20 Apr. 2026

The former couple share two children, 10-year-old son Logan and 6-year-old daughter Elle, for whom Lenny was ordered to pay $15,000 in child support every month, per People. —Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for child support

• heliport
• nonsupport
• reexport
• teleport
• ultrashort
• abort
• airport
• alport
• athwart
• carport
• comport
• consort

Kids Definition

child support

noun

: payment for the support of the children of divorced or separated parents while the children are minors or as otherwise legally required compare alimony

Legal Definition

child support

noun

: payment made for the support of the children of divorced or separated parents while the children are minors or until they reach an age set by the separation agreement or in a court order compare alimony

Note: Child support is usually paid by the parent who is without custody. In the case of joint custody, both parents usually pay child support.