crèche
[ kresh, kreysh; French kresh ]
/ krɛʃ, kreɪʃ; French krɛʃ /
Save This Word!
noun, plural crèch·es [kresh-iz, krey-shiz; French kresh]. /ˈkrɛʃ ɪz, ˈkreɪ ʃɪz; French krɛʃ/.
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.
a home for foundlings.
British. a day-care center; day nursery.
Animal Behavior. an assemblage of dependent young that are cared for communally.
QUIZ
TEST YOUR MERIT ON THESE NEW WORDS IN 2021
The Dictionary added new words and definition to our vast collection, and we want to see how well-versed you are in the formally recognized new lingo. Take the quiz!
Question 1 of 8
What does JEDI stand for?
Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing
Origin of crèche
1785–95; <French, Old French <Frankish *kripjacrib
Words nearby crèche
creature comfort, creature comforts, creature feature, creaturely, CREB, crèche, Crécy, cred, credence, credence table, credendum
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use crèche in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for crèche
crèche
/ (krɛʃ, kreɪʃ, French krɛʃ) /
noun
mainly British
- a day nursery for very young children
- a supervised play area provided for young children for short periods
a tableau of Christ's Nativity
a foundling home or hospital
Word Origin for crèche
C19: from Old French: manger, crib, ultimately of Germanic origin; compare Old High German kripja crib
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