childhood

noun

ˈchī(-ə)ld-ˌhu̇d How to pronounce childhood (audio)
Definition of childhoodnext
as in youth
the state or time of being a child enjoy your childhood—it won't last forever

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of childhood Growing up in North Carolina, one of my favorite childhood snacks was the oatmeal crème pie produced by Lance, the snack-food manufacturer based in my hometown of Charlotte. — Suzanne Van Atten, AJC.com, 25 Oct. 2026 This is a woman who survived childhood trauma, raped repeatedly by her stepfather. — ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026 Now, with two sons of his own, the country music star is looking forward to being on the other side of those childhood memories. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026 One bottle, picked by Naugle, Casamorati Italica had notes of apple, mandarin, creamy milk, saffron and vanilla which distinctly reminded me of this German Christmas loose-leaf tea from my childhood. — Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for childhood
Recent Examples of Synonyms for childhood
  1. youth
  2. adolescence
Noun
  • Despite a strong growth forecast for the region, unemployment among the fast-growing youth population remains stubbornly high, leading to political instability and leaving the authorities looking for ways to create more jobs.
    — Martin K.N Siele, semafor.com, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The men make up Fathers & Men of Professional Basketball Players (FAMPBP), a nonprofit organization established in 2009 to empower youth through education and leadership development.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of youth
Noun
  • Knight had developed a private love of music as a child, only to be thrust into the spotlight in adolescence thanks in part to his dad’s connections.
    — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026
  • This year’s Teens & Screens study surveyed more than 1,500 adolescents (ages 10-24, reflecting the ages of adolescence as defined by the National Academy of Sciences).
    — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of adolescence

Phrases Containing childhood

Browse Nearby Words

childbirths
childhood
childish
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Cite this Entry

“Childhood.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/childhood. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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