Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

elementary school

American  

noun

  1. the lowest school giving formal instruction, teaching the rudiments of learning, and extending usually from six to eight years.

elementary school British  

noun

  1. a former name for primary school

  2. Also called (in the US): grade school.   grammar school.  a state school in which instruction is given for the first six to eight years of a child's education

"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

Etymology

Origin of elementary school

First recorded in 1835–45

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.

Elementary school friends Olivia Wasilewski and Brynna Siewers got their game, Ship of Treasures, licensed and later sold in Target after winning an award at the fair in 2016.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 7, 2025

“Alycia is actually my coach. A few years ago I was on the verge of quitting because of the stress management,” said Principal Vern Taylor who works at Jose Antonio Vargas Elementary school.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 23, 2024

Queen Anne Elementary school is only 43% filled.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 14, 2023

The boy's bag was searched, but no weapon was found, Richneck Elementary school superintendent George Parker told parents.

From BBC • Jan. 13, 2023

Elementary school kids are talking about how I nearly caused a car accident.

From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila

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.