kindergarten

[ kin-der-gahr-tn, -dn ]

/ ˈkɪn dərˌgɑr tn, -dn /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR kindergarten ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a school or class for young children between the ages of four and six years.

Nearby words

kincob, kind, kind of, kind-hearted, kinda, kindergarten, kindergartner, kindhearted, kindjal, kindle, kindless

Origin of kindergarten

1850–55; < German: literally, children's garden, equivalent to Kinder children (see kind²) + Garten garden

Related forms

pre·kin·der·gar·ten, noun, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for kindergarten

Now, some of the kindergarten children were standing straight as soldiers in a line at the door of their first-floor classroom.
Freedom From Fear for Dreamer Kids|Mike Barnicle|November 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Many cases were kindergarten age, and EV-68 accounted for more than 80 percent of cases.
Midwest's 'Mystery Virus' Is Scary but Not Deadly|Kent Sepkowitz|September 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He was able to go to the beach, to the park, and even to his kindergarten graduation.
Canadian Parents Risk Jail to Give Sick Kid Marijuana|Tim Mak|July 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
From kindergarten through their senior years, kids spend much of their waking life in school.
The Government is Still Failing Kids on School Lunches|Russell Saunders|May 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST

There is a set of booster vaccines at about kindergarten age, with a little bit of variation from practice to practice.
Jenny McCarthy Says She’s Never Been Anti-Vaccine. Yeah, Right.|Russell Saunders|April 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The making and re-making of the nest was learnt on kindergarten principles.
"Wee Tim'rous Beasties"|Douglas English
At seventeen to be treated like a kindergarten infant, indeed!
The Jolliest Term on Record|Angela Brazil
He look 'way up high on Christmas-tree, then he leave his conscious in kindergarten room.
Mr. Bamboo and the Honorable Little God|Fannie C. Macaulay
Now that Andy was in kindergarten both parents stood up when the count was for Miss Prouty's room.
Jerry's Charge Account|Hazel Hutchins Wilson
This is true; but such persons should not undertake to keep a kindergarten.
Education in The Home, The Kindergarten, and The Primary School|Elizabeth P. Peabody

British Dictionary definitions for kindergarten

kindergarten

/ (ˈkɪndəˌɡɑːtən) /

noun

a class or small school for young children, usually between the ages of four and six to prepare them for primary educationOften shortened to (in Australia and New Zealand): kinder, kindy, kindie

Derived Forms

kindergartener, noun

Word Origin for kindergarten

C19: from German, literally: children's garden

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