infant

American  

[in-fuhnt] / ˈɪn fənt /

noun

1. a child during the earliest period of their life, especially before they can walk; baby.

2. Law. a person who is not of full age, especially one who has not reached the age of 18 years; a minor.

3. a beginner, as in experience or learning; novice.

   The new candidate is a political infant.

4. anything in the first stage of existence or progress.

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adjective

1. of or relating to infants or infancy.

   infant years.

2. being in infancy.

   an infant king.

3. being in the earliest stage.

   an infant industry.

4. of or relating to the legal state of infancy; minor.

infant British  

/ ˈɪnfənt /

noun

1. a child at the earliest stage of its life; baby

2. law another word for minor

3. a young schoolchild, usually under the age of seven

4. a person who is beginning or inexperienced in an activity

5. (modifier)

   1. of or relating to young children or infancy

   2. designed or intended for young children

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adjective

1. in an early stage of development; nascent

   an infant science or industry

2. law of or relating to the legal status of infancy

Other Word Forms

• infanthood noun
• infantlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of infant

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin infant- (stem of infāns ) “small child,” literally, “one unable to speak,” equivalent to in- in- ³ + -fāns, present participle of fārī “to speak”; replacing Middle English enfaunt, from Anglo-French, from Latin, as above

Example Sentences

Whether or not this was true, whether the infant lived, and if so, who may have raised it, is entirely unknown.

From Literature

The infant mortality rate is three times higher than in Denmark.

From The Wall Street Journal

It opened an infant classroom two days before the old location burned, pivoting to younger children to account for the loss of 4-year-olds to TK.

From Los Angeles Times

Studies have suggested it may lower infant deaths from other infections, implying extended cross protection, though the mechanism was unclear and results varied.

From Science Daily

During the rationing period, sugar allowances for the entire population, including pregnant women and children, were capped at less than 40 g per day -- and infants under age 2 were not allowed any added sugars.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• child
• kid
• newborn
• toddler