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Synonyms

crèche

American  
[kresh, kreysh, kresh] / krɛʃ, kreɪʃ, krɛʃ /

noun

plural

crèches

  1. a small or large modeled representation or tableau of Mary, Joseph, and others around the crib of Jesus in the stable at Bethlehem, as is displayed in homes or erected for exhibition in a community at Christmas season.

  2. a home for foundlings.

  3. British. a day-care center; day nursery.

  4. Animal Behavior. an assemblage of dependent young that are cared for communally.

crèche British  
/ krɛʃ, kreɪʃ, krɛʃ /

noun

    1. a day nursery for very young children

    2. a supervised play area provided for young children for short periods

  2. a tableau of Christ's Nativity

  3. a foundling home or hospital

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

What does crèche mean? A crèche is a nativity scene—a model of a scene depicting the birth of Jesus.Crèches are often displayed in or outside of homes or churches during Advent, the season preceding Christmas, which celebrates the birth of Jesus and is among the most important Christian holidays. A crèche is also commonly called a Nativity scene or simply a Nativity.Crèche is also sometimes used to refer to a childcare facility like a day care. This sense of the word is primarily used in the United Kingdom.It is sometimes seen without the accent mark, which comes from its French spelling.Example: My children’s favorite part of the crèche is the goats and other animals.

Etymology

Origin of crèche

1785–95; < French, Old French < Frankish *kripja crib

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.

Forbes has since criticised the Scottish Parliament's crèche facilities, which are only available for three hours a day from Tuesday to Thursday.

From BBC • Aug. 5, 2025

Mr. Rave says that this crèche is unusually large.

From NewsForKids.net • May 7, 2024

ACLU, in which the Supreme Court held that the Constitution’s establishment clause barred the displays of a crèche and the Ten Commandments in county courthouses.

From Washington Post • Jan. 16, 2022

Gazing at the crèche, Maria Letizia Panerai, 58, said the ceramic figures were just what she was looking for in a manger scene.

From New York Times • Dec. 18, 2020

There, a blur in the left, is a crèche worker.

From "Girl in the Blue Coat" by Monica Hesse

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.