toddler
Americannoun
noun
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a young child, usually one between the ages of one and two and a half
-
(modifier) designed or suitable for a toddler
toddler suits
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of toddler
Explanation
Use the noun toddler to describe a small child who is just learning how to walk. A toddler is older than a baby but not quite old enough for elementary school. It's the time in a child's life when she reaches all kinds of milestones: walking, talking, playing with other kids, and more. The word toddler was first used in 1793, and it developed out of the Scottish word toddle, or "to run or walk with short, unsteady steps."
Vocabulary lists containing toddler
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This Week in Words: Current Events Vocabulary for April 22–April 28, 2023
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
However, the AI tended to get carried away, for instance referencing my toddler in every insight.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026
Not too long ago in this very galaxy, audiences watched a helmeted bounty hunter meet a mysterious big-eyed alien toddler on their TVs, and “Star Wars” was changed forever.
From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026
However, like most Argentinian players, 21-year-old Sierra started on the clay as a toddler and recently showed her ability by taking a set from reigning French Open champion Coco Gauff in Madrid.
From BBC • May 21, 2026
Within an hour, I conjured a performance review, a project postmortem and a meal plan engineered to satisfy a picky toddler and use up every veggie in my fridge.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026
She spooned food into his mouth like he was a toddler, which he seemed to enjoy a lot.
From "A Place to Belong" by Cynthia Kadohata
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
