preschool

American  

[pree-skool, pree-skool] / ˈpriˈskul, ˈpriˌskul /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or intended for a child between infancy and school age.

   new methods of preschool education.

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noun

1. a school or nursery for preschool children.

preschool British  

/ priːˈskuːl /

adjective

1. 1. (of a child) under the age at which compulsory education begins

   2. (of services) for or relating to preschool children

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Etymology

Origin of preschool

First recorded in 1920–25; pre- + school ¹

Example Sentences

"I poked my head into the hallway. Saw smoke, saw staff running, and instincts kicked in," Plotkin told AFP near the Temple Israel synagogue, which houses a preschool that was in session.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

Temple Israel - one of the largest reform Jewish synagogues in the US - also has a preschool where dozens of children had to be evacuated during the incident.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026

I was born in Tehran and immigrated to Canada when I was in preschool.

From Slate • Mar. 3, 2026

According to the SEC complaint, she had previously worked as a substitute preschool teacher, a radio-station promoter and an assistant at an online educational company that Lopez started.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 10, 2026

“She has a preschool on Mumford,” I say.

From "The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko

Related Words

• day-care center
• kindergarten