infant

1 of 2

noun

in·​fant ˈin-fənt 

1

: a child in the first period of life

2

: a person who is not of full age : minor

infant

2 of 2

adjective

1

: intended for young children

2

: being in an early stage of development

3

: of, relating to, or being in infancy

Synonyms

Noun

• babe
• baby
• bambino
• child
• neonate
• newborn

Examples of infant in a Sentence

Noun

a study of health problems that can affect young infants

He showed us a picture of his infant daughter.

Adjective

She is an infant teacher.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But a 2017 study found that even infants can distinguish between words in different languages. —Leslie Garisto Pfaff, Parents, 15 May 2025

Olivia was the most popular girls name for the second year in a row, assigned to 231 infants. —Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 15 May 2025

Adjective

Despite claims to the contrary, these layoffs included dozens of scientists who conduct quality control and proficiency testing on everything from infant formula to dairy products and pet foods. —Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 1 May 2025

The flashpoint was the hospital’s role in a child protection case involving the infant grandson of one of Bundy’s friends. —Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 12 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English enfaunt, from Anglo-French enfant, from Latin infant-, infans, from infant-, infans, adjective, incapable of speech, young, from in- + fant-, fans, present participle of fari to speak — more at ban entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing infant

• infant mortality
• infant school
• sudden infant death syndrome

Kids Definition

infant

noun

in·​fant

ˈin-fənt

: a child in the first period of life

infant adjective

Medical Definition

infant

noun

in·​fant ˈin-fənt 

1

a

: a child in the first year of life : baby

b

: a child several years of age

2

: a person who is not of full age : minor

infant adjective

Legal Definition

infant

noun

in·​fant ˈin-fənt 

: a person who is not of the age of majority : minor compare adult