childcare

noun

child·​care ˈchī(-ə)ld-ˌker How to pronounce childcare (audio)
variants or child care
: the care of children especially as a service while parents are working
Erratic week-to-week work schedules make it nearly impossible to manage a personal budget or secure childcare.David Dayen

Examples of childcare in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Citizenship Starts Young Here in Helsinki, childcare infrastructure is the envy of many American cities. Kristen Edgreen Kaufman, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025 At present, state rules require immunizations against measles, chickenpox, hepatitis B, polio and other diseases for childcare and public school attendance, according to the state's Department of Health's website. Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Sep. 2025 Now, Robbie is the only adult responsible for three minors, although his niece, Maeve (Emilia Jones), is handling most of the childcare. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2025 She is also not allowed to work in the childcare field, prosecutors said. Paloma Chavez, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for childcare

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of childcare was in 1896

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Cite this Entry

“Childcare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/childcare. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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