infancy

noun

in·​fan·​cy ˈin-fən(t)-sē 

plural infancies

1

: early childhood

2

: a beginning or early period of existence

3

: the legal status of an infant

Examples of infancy in a Sentence

She was often sick during her infancy.

a skill developed in infancy

She has been a member of the church since its infancy.

Recent Examples on the Web

And iTunes was in the infancy of locating its footing, having launched just two years prior. —Ime Ekpo, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025

Lead exposure is most serious during brain development – in utero, infancy and early childhood, and high lead exposure levels can lead to learning disabilities, behavior difficulties, and a lower IQ, according to the Food and Drug Administration. —Mike Snider, USA Today, 15 May 2025

Alba’s photos included throwbacks: snapshots from her childhood ranging from infancy to teenage years. —Jack Smart, People.com, 29 Apr. 2025

Their study's models suggest that in low-oxygen conditions like those billions of years ago during the period when life on Earth was likely still in its infancy, known as The Archean Eon, oceans could have appeared green. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing infancy

• in one's infancy

Kids Definition

infancy

noun

in·​fan·​cy ˈin-fən-sē 

plural infancies

1

: early childhood

2

: a beginning or early period of existence

Medical Definition

infancy

noun

in·​fan·​cy ˈin-fən-sē 

plural infancies

1

: early childhood

2

: the legal status of an infant

Legal Definition

infancy

noun

in·​fan·​cy ˈin-fən-sē 

plural infancies

1

: the legal status of an infant : minority

2

: the affirmative defense of lacking legal capacity (as to make a contract or commit a crime) because of being too young and especially because one's age is below an age set by statute