day care

American  

[dey kair] / ˈdeɪ ˌkɛər /

noun

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.

Etymology

Origin of day care

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

Example Sentences

Prior to these most recent funding stops, $185 million in annual aid to Minnesota day care centers was frozen.

From Salon

On the day after Christmas, the 23-year-old posted videos falsely accusing various day care centers of not having any real children as their charges, and then billing the federal government for fake work.

From Salon

State subsidies are paid directly to child-care providers, which could enable fraudsters to set up fly-by-night day care to bilk the government.

From The Wall Street Journal

John Mayer calls it “adult day care”: the historic recording studio behind the arched gates on La Brea Avenue where famous musicians have been keeping themselves — and one another — creatively occupied since the mid-1960s.

From Los Angeles Times

A nearby day care that was closing passed along their furniture and toys.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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