pre-K
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of pre-K
First recorded in 1965–70; pre- ( def. ) + K 3 ( def. ) (in the sense “kindergarten”)
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The two appeared together at a pre-K site in the Bronx, where they read to children and highlighted the importance of early childhood education.
From Salon • Apr. 19, 2026
A-Street plans to back early- to late-stage U.S. companies focused on pre-K to 12th grade curriculum and instructional platforms.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026
In the Rolling Hills-Palos Verdes area, for example, TK enrollment climbed by 152 children, but the area lost four pre-K centers that could serve 316 children.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 3, 2025
That would yield over $100 billion a year—money that could finance universal pre-K nationwide or build hundreds of thousands of desperately needed affordable housing units.
From Slate • Oct. 23, 2024
My parents say, when I was in pre-K, I marched around telling everybody I was the mayor of Earth.
From "Crenshaw" by Katherine Applegate
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
