day care

American  

[dey kair] / ˈdeɪ ˌkɛər /

noun

1. supervised daytime care for preschool children, the elderly, or those with chronic disabilities, usually provided at a center outside the home.

   Finding quality day care that we can afford has been challenging.

---

adjective

1. of, relating to, or providing day care.

   daycare center;

   day-care program.

Etymology

Origin of day care

First recorded in 1895–1900 for noun, and 1940–45 for adjective

Example Sentences

In Sawtelle, community members painted crosswalks near Stoner Park after raising concerns about pedestrian safety in an area frequented by families, schools and day cares.

From Los Angeles Times

Placing an infant in an early childhood or day care center can cost parents annually an average of $15,000.

From Salon

Many provided little more than glorified day care.

From The Wall Street Journal

Most caregivers do not delve into the details of the cost of a private room versus a shared room, or adult day care versus home care, until they are in the thick of it.

From MarketWatch

Elliot and I had disliked each other practically since we were babies in Academy day care.

From Literature

Related Words

• child care
• daycare
• nursery
• nursery school
• preschool