kindergarten

American  

[kin-der-gahr-tn, -dn] / ˈkɪn dərˌgɑr tn, -dn /

noun

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

---

kindergarten British  

/ 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

Etymology

Origin of kindergarten

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

Example Sentences

Bassist James Kee is an educator who has taught kindergarten through fourth grade for the last 15 years.

From Los Angeles Times

I may be twelve and three-quarters, but there’s something about rainbow sequins that transports me back to kindergarten.

From Literature

Then Miss Kiko came out of the kindergarten room and rang her handbell.

From Literature

About two-thirds of California’s 3- to 5-year-olds are on track to enter kindergarten, according to new federal data.

From Los Angeles Times

“Today’s trivia subject is American pre-si-dents,” she said, enunciating like a kindergarten teacher.

From Literature

Related Words

• nursery school