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
Examples of childhood in a Sentence
diseases that can occur in childhood
Both men had unhappy childhoods.
Recent Examples on the Web
There's power in revisiting childhood tales and giving into a bit of magic.
—
David Oliver, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
But in the 20 years since, the state’s childhood obesity rates have risen to nearly 24% from 21%, reflecting a similar, albeit higher, trajectory than national rates.
—Kavitha Cardoza, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
In this version, her Joker is a trans girl who’s grappling with childhood trauma and some unresolved gender identity issues.
—Manuel Betancourt, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
The 34-year-old Kansas City Chiefs tight end compiled a series of adorable childhood clips to celebrate Jason Kelce in a TikTok video on Wednesday, April 10.
—Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
The discussion was the keynote conversation of the Momentum Early Learning Summit, where about 120 attendees — who have a hand in operating or regulating the early childhood education system — gathered to collaborate on solutions regarding these two topics.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Apr. 2024
Measles outbreak likely in Michigan because of low vaccination rates
The Detroit Health Department offers vaccinations for measles and all childhood vaccination series, plus COVID-19, flu and Mpox at its Immunizations Clinic at 100 Mack Ave.
—Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 10 Apr. 2024
This pivotal moment, fueled by her childhood memories of hiking with her grandmother, laid the foundation for what would become a trailblazing experience.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 10 Apr. 2024
While the Captain would prefer to stay in Vietnam, shed his cover, and celebrate the VC victory, his childhood best friend turned handler Man (Duy Nguyen) orders him to follow and report back on the General in exile.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 10 Apr. 2024
David Oliver, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024
But in the 20 years since, the state’s childhood obesity rates have risen to nearly 24% from 21%, reflecting a similar, albeit higher, trajectory than national rates.
—Kavitha Cardoza, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
In this version, her Joker is a trans girl who’s grappling with childhood trauma and some unresolved gender identity issues.
—Manuel Betancourt, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
The 34-year-old Kansas City Chiefs tight end compiled a series of adorable childhood clips to celebrate Jason Kelce in a TikTok video on Wednesday, April 10.
—Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
The discussion was the keynote conversation of the Momentum Early Learning Summit, where about 120 attendees — who have a hand in operating or regulating the early childhood education system — gathered to collaborate on solutions regarding these two topics.
—Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Apr. 2024
Measles outbreak likely in Michigan because of low vaccination rates
The Detroit Health Department offers vaccinations for measles and all childhood vaccination series, plus COVID-19, flu and Mpox at its Immunizations Clinic at 100 Mack Ave.
—Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 10 Apr. 2024
This pivotal moment, fueled by her childhood memories of hiking with her grandmother, laid the foundation for what would become a trailblazing experience.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 10 Apr. 2024
While the Captain would prefer to stay in Vietnam, shed his cover, and celebrate the VC victory, his childhood best friend turned handler Man (Duy Nguyen) orders him to follow and report back on the General in exile.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 10 Apr. 2024
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.
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Cite this Entry
“Childhood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/childhood. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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