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

Classroom technology use has been a stressor for India Brookover of Granada Hills, whose daughter will be entering transitional kindergarten, or TK, next year and whose screen time in preschool has been near zero.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026

"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

I started preschool there when I was three, primary school when I was five.

From "Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood" by Trevor Noah

Related Words

• day-care center
• kindergarten