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

• prekindergarten noun
• kindergartener 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

Vargas and her 5-year-old daughter, who is Native American and African American, have received resources to learn at home, preparing her for kindergarten this year.

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Quarterback Yanick Diaz said he has been with some of his teammates since kindergarten.

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Once kindergarten started, the phone calls home began again: he wouldn’t stay seated.

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Then again, his father had abandoned them before Michael even got to kindergarten, so perhaps it was best not to have inherited anything.

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That summer she started a kindergarten class in her home.

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Related Words

• nursery school