kindergarten

[kin-der-gahr-tn, -dn]

noun

1. a school or class for young children between the ages of four and six years.

kindergarten

/ ˈkɪndəˌɡɑːtən /

noun

1. Often shortened to (in Australia and New Zealand): kinder.  kindy.  kindie. a class or small school for young children, usually between the ages of four and six to prepare them for primary education

Other Word Forms

• kindergartener noun
• prekindergarten noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of kindergarten¹

1850–55; < German: literally, children's garden, equivalent to Kinder children ( kind ² ) + Garten garden

Word History and Origins

Origin of kindergarten¹

C19: from German, literally: children's garden

Example Sentences

Equal parts whimsical and curated, the space landed visually somewhere between a kindergarten classroom and a museum gallery.

From Los Angeles Times

The controversy has been months in the making - tensions between management and parents at the kindergarten centre, about half an hour north of Brisbane, have been steadily brewing this year.

From BBC

Studies have found that students who are chronically absent in kindergarten are less likely to read and count proficiently by the end of third grade, and the declines are particularly acute among English-language learners.

From Los Angeles Times

When Carina tells her that she didn’t homeschool her son for kindergarten but sent him to public school, Suzanne is mildly horrified.

From Los Angeles Times

He has spent the last nine years as a kindergarten teacher.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• nursery school