toddler

noun

tod·​dler ˈtä-dᵊl-ər How to pronounce toddler (audio)
ˈtäd-lər
plural toddlers
Synonyms of toddlernext
: a person who toddles
especially : a young child usually between one and three years old
It's no secret that kids need plenty of sleep. For a preschooler (3 to 5 years old), that's as much as 11 to 13 hours, including naps; for a toddler (1 to 3), 12 to 14 hours; for a baby under 1, 14 to 15 hours. —Stacey Colino
toddlerhood
ˈtä-dᵊl-ər-ˌhu̇d How to pronounce toddler (audio)
ˈtäd-lər-
noun

Examples of toddler 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.
Maybe listening to this song will encourage your toddler to pick up crayons or markers and create some adventures of their own. — Parents, 3 July 2026 Fleming was one of a dozen people at the home when the home was shot at, including two toddlers, a 6-year-old and a teenager, a police report said. — Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2026 Their toddler enjoyed the several flyovers that occurred throughout the morning. — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 3 July 2026 Vincent, the toddler, is not identified in the police report by name, but his family has set up a crowdfunding page to help with the medical costs. — Gabriella Bachara, NBC news, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for toddler

Word History

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of toddler was in 1815

Browse Nearby Words

toddle
toddler
toddy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Toddler.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/toddler. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

toddler

noun
tod·​dler ˈtäd-lər How to pronounce toddler (audio)
-ᵊl-ər
: a young child
toddlerhood
-ˌhu̇d How to pronounce toddler (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on toddler

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for toddler

Nglish: Translation of toddler for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about toddler

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