stepchild

noun

step·​child ˈstep-ˌchī(-ə)ld How to pronounce stepchild (audio)
1
: a child of one's wife or husband by a former partner
2
: one that fails to receive proper care or attention
is no longer a stepchild in the family of nationsF. R. Smith

Examples of stepchild in a Sentence

The school has long been the forgotten stepchild of the state university system.
Recent Examples on the Web From all indications, Jim, who died of cancer, was an incredibly rotten human being, something to which his entire family, which includes multiple ex-wives and adult children and stepchildren, are quite willing to concede. Chris Vognar, Rolling Stone, 15 Feb. 2024 Casstevens is survived by his wife, Susie, three children, four stepchildren, two grandchildren, seven step-grandchildren, and his brother Mark. Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Jan. 2024 He is survived by his children Chloe and Mason Moll, ex-wife Susan Moll, and stepchildren Cassandra Card and Morgan Ostling. Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 27 Oct. 2023 Among Cash’s children and stepchildren — Rosanne, Kathy, Cindy, Tara, John Carter, Carlene and Rosie — all have had creative careers as musicians, actors and writers. Julie Tremaine, Peoplemag, 19 Jan. 2024 Notably, Rodgers' three biological children, who were also living in the home, were not subjected to the same feeding restrictions or physical exercises as her stepchildren. Landon Mion, Fox News, 16 Dec. 2023 Along with Christiane, Johnson leaves behind two stepchildren. Kelly Wynne, Peoplemag, 5 Jan. 2024 To help with succession planning, Napoleon arranged strategic matches for his stepchildren, marrying Eugène to a Bavarian princess and Hortense to his younger brother Louis Bonaparte, who would later serve as king of Holland. Nathan Smith, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Nov. 2023 Moll is survived by his children, Chloe and Mason Moll; ex-wife, Susan Moll; and stepchildren Cassandra Card and Morgan Ostling. CBS News, 27 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stepchild.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of stepchild was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near stepchild

Cite this Entry

“Stepchild.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stepchild. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

stepchild

noun
step·​child ˈstep-ˌchīld How to pronounce stepchild (audio)
: a child of one's wife or husband by a former partner

More from Merriam-Webster on stepchild

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