kindergarten

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

noun

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

kindergarten

/ ˈkɪndəˌɡɑːtən /

noun

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

Other Word Forms

• kindergartener noun
• prekindergarten noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of kindergarten¹

1850–55; < German: literally, children's garden, equivalent to Kinder children ( kind ² ) + Garten garden

Word History and Origins

Origin of kindergarten¹

C19: from German, literally: children's garden

Example Sentences

Both schools offer transitional kindergarten through eighth grade.

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Newsom focused on the benefit of state initiatives, including transitional kindergarten, universal free school meals and more funding for before and after school programs and literacy coaches.

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A kindergarten photograph shows an earnest-looking Anne, near the center of the classroom and already radiating an unmistakable charisma.

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In the future, Gorno-Tempini said, she hopes 4-year-olds will be eventually be screened in transitional kindergarten so that teachers will be able to intervene even earlier.

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Thirty years ago, she held a party on the eve of her niece’s first day of kindergarten.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• nursery school