children

chil-dren · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    Plural of "child": young human beings below the age of puberty.

  2. 2.

    Sons and daughters of any age.

  3. 3.

    Descendants or members of a group.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    women and children first — traditional evacuation priority
  • •
    children's literature — books written for young readers
  • •
    children's rights — legal protections for minors

Related words

Antonyms: adults, parents
See also: child, kids, offspring, youth
Synonyms: kids, minors, offspring, youngsters

Etymology

From Old English "cildru," the plural of "cild" (child), with the later addition of "-en" as a plural marker, a pattern seen in a few English words like "oxen."