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

He was reportedly arrested on charges related to allegedly not paying child support in full, with authorities in Michigan issuing an arrest warrant as Bell has a child in that state, per The Canton Repository. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 20 July 2026

In March, the Maine agency that handles child support matters filed a lien against him, public records show. — Julia Ainsley, NBC news, 17 July 2026

The full payment will satisfy child support arrangements and interest between March 2011 and July 2026. — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026

What a prenup covers Prenups generally can't determine child custody or child support, because courts decide those issues based ont he child's best interests at the time of a divorce. — Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 6 July 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.