grandchild

American  

[gran-chahyld] / ˈgrænˌtʃaɪld /

noun

plural

grandchildren

1. a child of one's son or daughter.

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grandchild British  

/ ˈɡrænˌtʃaɪld /

noun

1. the son or daughter of one's child

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Etymology

Origin of grandchild

First recorded in 1580–90; grand- + child

Explanation

If you have a grandparent, you are a grandchild. You are the grandchild of your mother’s and father’s parents. If you have a grandchild, your son or daughter had a baby. Congratulations. A person becomes a grandparent when their kid has their first baby, and that baby is the grandparent’s grandchild. Boys are often called "grandsons," and girls "granddaughters," but both are also grandchildren. Grandchild uses the family or genealogical sense of the prefix grand-, which first meant "a generation older than," and since Elizabethan times has also meant "a generation younger than."

Example Sentences

Grandchild Susan Eisenhower noted a “great sadness” many in her family remained home due to public health concerns related to the novel coronavirus.

From Washington Times • Sep. 17, 2020

Unsure Grandchild: Before you respond, ask yourself: “What good would it do?”

From Washington Post • Jul. 17, 2019

Q. My Best Friend Is Criticizing My Grandchild: Meg and I have been best friends for more than a decade.

From Slate • Oct. 31, 2011

One of the first articles of furniture to be moved in was a crib for Grandchild Herbert Hoover 3rd, aged 13.

From Time Magazine Archive

But Grandfather answered,   'Now hush, little Grandchild, You woman of sorrow,   Bow down and have patience; 460 No truth you will find   In the world, and no justice.'

From Who Can Be Happy and Free in Russia? by Soskice, Juliet M.