childhood

[chahyld-hood]

noun

1. the state or period of being a child.

   Synonyms: girlhood, boyhood, youth

2. the early stage in the existence of something.

   the childhood of the human race.

childhood

/ ˈtʃaɪldhʊd /

noun

1. the condition of being a child; the period of life before puberty

Other Word Forms

• prechildhood noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of childhood¹

before 950; Middle English childhode, Old English cildhād. See child, -hood

Example Sentences

The court heard how he had suffered body dysphoria since childhood and his feet were an "unwelcome extra" and a "persisting never-ending discomfort".

From BBC

Hey is British and spent his childhood training with the Royal Air Force before relocating to Santa Barbara after a career in the oil industry.

From Los Angeles Times

He weaves in Aishe’s childhood memories of her father, with her Uyghur language narration addressed to him, as she asks imploring questions of a man who will never be able to answer.

From Los Angeles Times

When the full-back was asked about childhood rugby heroes this week, she picked a player who retired a year after she was born.

From BBC

With her brothers sent away to boarding school, Katharine's childhood was a lonely one.

From BBC