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

The infant had bronchitis, he said, and was unresponsive for hours before being discharged.

From Salon

Its rise in sales comes as the company, alongside rivals like Nestle, remains embroiled in a series of infant formula recalls that have triggered 60 countries to issue warnings or pull labels off the shelf.

From The Wall Street Journal

The files also revealed that Attia had, on at least one occasion, chosen to spend time with Epstein rather than visit his infant son, who had been hospitalized after entering cardiac arrest.

From Salon

Even though many of these children were toddlers or infants when the pandemic began, the disruption has had long-lasting repercussions.

From Los Angeles Times

There is little disagreement among policymakers, manufacturers and doctors that a re-examination of federal nutrient requirements for infant formula is long overdue.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• child
• kid
• newborn
• toddler