day care

American  

[day kair] / ˈdeɪ ˌkɛər /

noun

• day cares
  plural

1. supervised daytime care for preschool children, the elderly, or those with chronic disabilities, usually provided at a center outside the home.

   Finding quality day care that we can afford has been challenging.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or providing day care.

   daycare center;

   day-care program.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• day cares
  plural

Etymology

Origin of day care

First recorded in 1895–1900 for noun, and 1940–45 for adjective

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

day care

Ashton, 40, said the large rear parking lot at his previous location shared a fence with Rainbow School, another day care and preschool, without controversy.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2026

Ashton, the father of an 11-year-old girl, said he has installed new fencing and a privacy screen so his business cannot be seen from the day care.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 4, 2026

In many states, centers don’t need licenses, making it easier to open one than a day care.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 3, 2026

Under the planned tax credit in Connecticut, caregivers can receive up to $2,000 a year for expenditures for home modifications, necessary medical equipment and services like home health aides, adult day care and respite care.

From MarketWatch ● May 20, 2026

People are out, heading toward their jobs or taking the little ones to the grandparent day care or school.

From "Internment" by Samira Ahmed

Related Words

• child care
• daycare
• nursery
• nursery school
• preschool