childhood

noun

child·​hood ˈchī(-ə)ld-ˌhu̇d 

1

: the state or period of being a child

2

: the early period in the development of something

Synonyms of childhood

• youth
• adolescence

Examples of childhood in a Sentence

diseases that can occur in childhood

Both men had unhappy childhoods.

Recent Examples on the Web

Many people in line in Marina del Rey chatted about their favorite Sanrio characters and exchanged childhood memories. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026

That twist of fate set the stage for a childhood unfolding across three continents. — Amy Delaura, The Washington Examiner, 19 Sep. 2026

Kennedy boasted about the administration's moves to downsize the childhood vaccination schedule and reshape a key vaccine advisory board -- steps that have since been halted by a judge. — Fatima Hussein, Arkansas Online, 18 Sep. 2026

Like many other countries, Bangladesh saw routine childhood vaccination rates drop in 2020, during the COVID pandemic. — Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 18 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing childhood

• childhood friend
• second childhood

Rhymes for childhood

• allgood
• basswood
• beechwood
• bellwood
• birchwood
• boxwood
• boyhood
• brushwood
• cordwood
• dogwood
• driftwood
• falsehood

Kids Definition

childhood

noun

child·​hood ˈchīld-ˌhu̇d 

: the state or time of being a child

Medical Definition

childhood

noun

child·​hood ˈchīld-ˌhu̇d 

: the state or period of being a child