latchkey child

American  

noun

1. a child who must spend at least part of the day alone and unsupervised, as when the parents are away at work.

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latchkey child British  

noun

1. a child who has to let himself or herself in at home on returning from school, as his or her parents are out at work

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Etymology

Origin of latchkey child

First recorded in 1940–45; so called because such a child is provided with a key for getting into the home after school

Example Sentences

As a latchkey child of divorced parents growing up near Syracuse, Muir took comfort from the news “family” that appeared on his television each evening.

From Washington Times

As a latchkey child of divorced parents growing up near Syracuse, Muir took comfort from the news "family" that appeared on his television each evening.

From US News

After-school junk food is another fundamental right of the latchkey child.

From Literature

I noted an available guideline: the National SafeKids Campaign recommends that - and added that I was a latchkey child at 6 or 7, and loved it.

From New York Times

One theory has it the term "latchkey child" was actually coined the year Sandra started school - in an American TV documentary about the increase in children being left at home, alone.

From BBC