kindergarten

noun

kin·​der·​gar·​ten ˈkin-dər-ˌgär-tᵊn How to pronounce kindergarten (audio)
ˈkin-də-, 
-dᵊn
plural kindergartens
Synonyms of kindergartennext
: a school or class for children usually from five to six years old

Examples of kindergarten in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The bell-to-bell restrictions will apply to public and private schools from kindergarten through 12th grade beginning in the 2027-2028 school year. — Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026 As dryers tumbled and washers churned in the background last Wednesday, children at the Wash Smart Laundry on Summit Street in Elgin were learning skills to prepare them for kindergarten. — Rick West, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026 Of the money raised by this tax, about 40% goes to funds that pay for transitional kindergarten through community college. — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026 Michelle saw a kindergarten class sitting on the ground near the teacher’s parking lot. — Taylor Galgano, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for kindergarten

Word History

Etymology

German, from Kinder children + Garten garden

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kindergarten was in 1851

Rhymes for kindergarten

See All Rhymes for kindergarten

Browse Nearby Words

kinderbeweijs
kindergarten
kindergartner
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Kindergarten.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kindergarten. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

kindergarten

noun
kin·​der·​gar·​ten ˈkin-də(r)-ˌgärt-ᵊn How to pronounce kindergarten (audio)
-ˌgärd-
: a school or class for very young children
Etymology

from German kindergarten "a school for very young children," from kinder "children" and garten "garden"

More from Merriam-Webster on kindergarten

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for kindergarten

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about kindergarten

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