childhood

American  

[chahyld-hood] / ˈtʃaɪld hʊd /

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.

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childhood British  

/ ˈtʃaɪldhʊd /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• prechildhood noun

Etymology

Origin of childhood

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

Example Sentences

Junk food adverts will be banned on television and online from Monday as part of a drive to tackle childhood obesity.

From BBC

Born in Helsinki, Schjerfbeck permanently injured her hip in a childhood fall and apparently began to draw as a convalescent.

From The Wall Street Journal

The condition can start in early childhood, and gradually worsens with age.

From BBC

She said mac and cheese was her favorite comfort food in childhood, but that established brands weren’t healthy enough for her own four children.

From The Wall Street Journal

An estimated £24 million in income and productivity is lost every year in the UK due to chickenpox in childhood, NHS England says.

From BBC