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

• nonage
• springtime
• youth

Examples of childhood in a Sentence

diseases that can occur in childhood

Both men had unhappy childhoods.

Recent Examples on the Web

Before the vaccine became available in the 1960s, measles was very common in childhood. —Sara Moniuszko, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2025

Evans married his childhood sweetheart, Heather Nudds, in 1984. —Danny Horn, EW.com, 27 Jan. 2025

But the truth is that most chronic hepatitis B infections are contracted during early childhood, or through mother-to-child transmission. —Benjamin Mazer, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2025

Since the minute Alessia was born, Rodriguez has gone above and beyond to protect her childhood. —Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 27 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing childhood

• childhood friend
• second childhood

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