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

Explanation

A preschool is a school for kids too young for kindergarten. In preschool, your teacher will still help you tie your shoes and stick your straw into your juice box. You can use the word preschool for the actual building where three year olds attend school, or for the program there. It's also an adjective for talking about preschool teachers, preschool students, or preschool funding in your town. Preschool has been used since the late 1800s, and it's also commonly called pre-K or nursery school.

Example Sentences

Crow, 64, bought both properties through a trust managed by her longtime financial manager—having chosen to relocate from a remote 150-acre farm to the Nashville estate when her children were getting ready to start preschool.

From MarketWatch • May 18, 2026

Earlier in the day, she visited an Italian preschool practising nature-based learning and a centre to teach children about recycling.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

The Castle Rock mother wants to use the new benefit, 15 hours a week of state-funded preschool, to send her children to the St. Mary parish school near Denver.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

State-funded preschool enrollment in the U.S. rose to 1.8 million kids, reaching 37% of 4-year-olds and about 10% of 3-year-olds, the annual report said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 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