childhood

[ chahyld-hood ]

noun

1. the state or period of being a child.

   Synonyms: girlhood, boyhood, youth

2. the early stage in the existence of something:

   the childhood of the human race.

childhood

/ ˈtʃaɪldhʊd /

noun

1. the condition of being a child; the period of life before puberty

Other Words From

• pre·childhood noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of childhood¹

before 950; Middle English childhode, Old English cildhād. See child, -hood

Example Sentences

McVay’s habit of being in constant motion dates to his childhood.

From Los Angeles Times

In 2005, he founded Tipping Point, a Bay Area nonprofit that has raised more than $400 million for community organizations focused on job training, housing and early childhood initiatives.

From Los Angeles Times

He recalls his “pretty tame” first trip on acid during his childhood and how he used alcohol to help him cope with losing the 2000 lead actor Oscar to Kevin Spacey.

From Los Angeles Times

Despite this, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still label cerebral palsy as "the most common motor disability in childhood."

From Science Daily

That desire for escapism has been Murray’s driving force since childhood.

From Los Angeles Times