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.

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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

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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

The aim is to be bustlingly kinetic, but the feel is pure kindergarten: no logic, just jerky leaps from one gaming situation to the next, with characters and objects taking on whatever powers are needed.

From The Wall Street Journal

Two-thirds of children who were held back had summer birthdays between June and August — near the kindergarten enrollment cutoff dates in most states — and would have been young for their grade.

From Los Angeles Times

Among Pomona Unified transitional kindergarten teachers, there’s little talk so far about how to approach the Chávez holiday, which state lawmakers are also looking to rename in honor of farmworkers.

From Los Angeles Times

The municipality have identified two young men who'll be coming to Germany later this year to work as kindergarten teachers.

From BBC

“Kids in the preschool and kindergarten years really benefit from hands-on play and tactile learning experiences,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• nursery school