kindergarten

kin-der-gar-ten · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A school or class for young children, typically ages 4-6, that prepares them for primary school.

  2. 2.

    (in the US) The year of schooling before first grade, typically for five-year-olds.

Forms

plural: kindergartens

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    kindergarten cop — (informal) a person who deals with childish behavior
  • •
    kindergartner/kindergartener — a child who attends kindergarten

Related words

See also: education, preschool, school
Synonyms: nursery school, preschool

Etymology

From German Kindergarten, literally "children's garden," coined by educator Friedrich Froebel in 1840. From Kinder ("children") + Garten ("garden").