infancy

[in-fuhn-see]

noun

plural

infancies 

1. the state or period of being an infant; very early childhood, usually the period before being able to walk; babyhood.

2. the corresponding period in the existence of anything; very early stage.

   Space science is in its infancy.

3. infants collectively.

4. Law.,  the period of life to the age of majority, 21 years at common law but now usually 18; minority; nonage.

infancy

/ ˈɪnfənsɪ /

noun

1. the state or period of being an infant; childhood

2. an early stage of growth or development

3. infants collectively

4. the period of life prior to attaining legal majority (reached at 21 under common law, at 18 by statute); minority nonage

Word History and Origins

Origin of infancy¹

From the Latin word infantia, dating back to 1485–95. See infant, -cy

Example Sentences

The Alberta pipeline plan is in its infancy and may never move forward.

Read more on Barron's

When the internet was in its infancy, IP addresses were invented as a way to identify devices connected to it.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He focused on AI, a field where peer-reviewed research is still in its infancy and the hunger for data is insatiable.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Solutions are still in their infancy, but autism researchers and advocates are working to develop screening tools, safety plans and therapies based on the unique strengths and differences of an autistic brain.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

At this point, with the search for sunken vessels still in its infancy, Throckmorton was among the world’s greatest experts in dating the approximate age of a shipwreck.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

• inception