childhood

noun

child·​hood ˈchī(-ə)ld-ˌhu̇d How to pronounce childhood (audio)
1
: the state or period of being a child
2
: the early period in the development of something

Examples of childhood in a Sentence

diseases that can occur in childhood Both men had unhappy childhoods.
Recent Examples on the Web Her regimented days at first revolve around her daughter, her job and her AA meetings, but are disrupted when the surprise encounter with Saul (Sarsgaard) opens a door to past memories and childhood experiences that surface like raw nerves. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Nov. 2023 They are killed and permanently disabled, and even those who seemingly were not physically harmed experience permanent invisible wounds in the form of brain injuries that result from the adverse childhood experience of living through war. Mill Etienne, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2023 The last calendar year for the Bay Area rap legend, 56, speaks for itself: Earning an honorary doctorate from Grambling State University, penning a long-time-coming cookbook with friend Snoop Dogg, and even seeing his name appear on a street sign in his childhood stomping grounds of Vallejo. Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 27 Nov. 2023 Today, childhood polio has been all but eradicated. Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2023 Mai and the Missing Melon In Mai and the Missing Melon, a childhood errand goes wrong. Alma Avalle, Bon Appétit, 25 Nov. 2023 Gathering around the old dining room table, sleeping in your childhood bed, looking through decades-old photo albums, and — perhaps the best part — using whatever beauty products are still in your childhood bathroom. Marci Robin, Allure, 24 Nov. 2023 As José keenly pursues his dream of making it to the fútbol team, Feliz, his canine companion, remains faithfully by his side, turning the narrative into a jubilant celebration of determination and childhood friendships. Roxsy Lin, Los Angeles Times, 16 Nov. 2023 Though death rates from childhood cancers continue to drop, diagnoses have been swelling for more than a decade in the U.S. Katie Mogg, NBC News, 16 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'childhood.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of childhood was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near childhood

Cite this Entry

“Childhood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/childhood. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

childhood

noun
child·​hood ˈchīld-ˌhu̇d How to pronounce childhood (audio)
: the state or time of being a child

Medical Definition

childhood

noun
child·​hood ˈchīld-ˌhu̇d How to pronounce childhood (audio)
: the state or period of being a child

More from Merriam-Webster on childhood

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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