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

It should be noted that Master Gogolev had a terrible fear of the law, due to a lost library book from childhood that weighed heavily on his conscience still.

Read more on Literature

“How lovely it will be to introduce my three pupils to Swanburne, and show them my own childhood haunts,” she thought, taking the steps two at a time.

Read more on Literature

We named her after my dear childhood friend, Constance Davis, whom we’d affectionately called Dit.

Read more on Literature

The 208-page book traces her South London childhood and the path that led her through drama school, the West End and Broadway.

Read more on Salon

This gathering was part of the Business Taskforce set up by the princess to try to get business support for her campaign to recognise the importance of early childhood.

Read more on BBC