child-free
adjective
variants
or less commonly childfree
: without children: such as
a
: not including or allowing children : excluding children
a child-free vacation
Create a 3-foot child-free zone around hot spots like stoves, turkey fryers and ovens …—
The Sentinel (Carlisle, Pennsylvania)
The Sentinel (Carlisle, Pennsylvania)I hoped most of the parents invited to the wedding would consider it a nice "date-night" evening to have with their significant others, child-free.—Morris (Illinois) Daily Herald
Morris (Illinois) Daily HeraldWhile there have been several U.S.-based petitions for child-free flights, the practice is less likely to seep over into the American market …—Veronika Bondarenko
Veronika Bondarenko
b
usually childfree
: not having children especially by choice
Where there was once the traditional nuclear family of 2.4 children, we are now seeing an increasing number of people in different family units, whether that be childfree families, single-parent families, step or even extended families.—Lara Bealing
Lara Bealing… choosing to be a mother and choosing to be childfree are both decisions worth celebrating because the celebration is in the fact that a woman chose the trajectory of her life.—Phoebe Robinson
Phoebe RobinsonAbout two years ago when a promising relationship failed, she resigned herself to not having children and embraced all that is good about being child-free.—Mike Bruce
Mike BruceThere are various reasons why someone would be child-free by choice. Some hold the political idea that with overpopulation and resource shortages, being child-free is the ethical choice.—Rachel Cargle
compare childless
Rachel CargleExamples of child-free in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Nikita put her point across that her child-free time is just as valid as his weekend hobbies.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
Parents might assume their child-free friends aren't interested in your new life.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 15 May 2025
The friends included fellow parents and the child-free, couples and single people.
—Rhaina Cohen, The Atlantic, 11 May 2025
For those who have chosen a child-free path, like this author, being a devoted aunt, godmother, or mentor is still deeply fulfilling.
—Ronny Maye, Essence, 10 May 2025
In 2023, a Newsweek poll of 1,500 U.S. adults found 59 percent of respondents agree that a child-free zone on planes and trains would be a positive thing.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
Studies oscillate between whether women who are child-free are ultimately happier or whether the reverse is true.
—Ruthie Ackerman, Time, 29 Apr. 2025
A couple were trying to enjoy a quiet, child-free morning—but their cat had very different plans, leaving internet viewers in stitches.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
There are many reasons why people decide on child-free weddings — the alcohol, the noise, the unavoidable unruliness — but the bottom line remains that the wedding couple set a boundary and the parents ignored it, many comments stated.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 11 Apr. 2025
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Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
Parents might assume their child-free friends aren't interested in your new life.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 15 May 2025
The friends included fellow parents and the child-free, couples and single people.
—Rhaina Cohen, The Atlantic, 11 May 2025
For those who have chosen a child-free path, like this author, being a devoted aunt, godmother, or mentor is still deeply fulfilling.
—Ronny Maye, Essence, 10 May 2025
In 2023, a Newsweek poll of 1,500 U.S. adults found 59 percent of respondents agree that a child-free zone on planes and trains would be a positive thing.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
Studies oscillate between whether women who are child-free are ultimately happier or whether the reverse is true.
—Ruthie Ackerman, Time, 29 Apr. 2025
A couple were trying to enjoy a quiet, child-free morning—but their cat had very different plans, leaving internet viewers in stitches.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
There are many reasons why people decide on child-free weddings — the alcohol, the noise, the unavoidable unruliness — but the bottom line remains that the wedding couple set a boundary and the parents ignored it, many comments stated.
—Rachel Raposas, People.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Child-free.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/child-free. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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