A kindergarten is an informal kind of school for very young children, where they learn things by playing.
She's in kindergarten now.
kindergarten in British English
(ˈkɪndəˌɡɑːtən)
noun
a class or small school for young children, usually between the ages of four and six to prepare them for primary education
Often shortened to (in Australia and New Zealand): kinder, kindy, kindie
Derived forms
kindergartener (ˈkinderˌgartener)
noun
Word origin
C19: from German, literally: children's garden
kindergarten in American English
(ˈkɪndərˌgɑrtən)
noun
a school or class for young children, usually four to six years old, that prepares them for first grade and that develops basic skills and social behavior by games, exercises, music, simple handicrafts, etc.
Derived forms
kindergartner (ˈkinderˌgartner)
noun or ˈkinderˌgartener (ˈkɪndərˌgɑrtnər)
Word origin
Ger, lit., children's garden, coined (1840) by Froebel < kinder, gen. pl. of kind, child (see kind) + garten, garden
Examples of 'kindergarten' in a sentence
kindergarten
We went to the funeral of a kindergarten teacher.
Bruce Feiler WALKING THE BIBLE (2001)
Primary and kindergarten teachers want proposed education reforms to be cancelled.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
His wife was a teacher in the kindergarten.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
This isn't a kindergarten class.
The Sun (2016)
Church school discipline or kindergarten?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
I felt like I was a teacher of kindergarten students.
The Sun (2012)
It wasn't just a question of choosing the right kindergarten and school, it was the right kind of party bag and the right sort of cake.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Word lists with
kindergarten
school
In other languages
kindergarten
British English: kindergarten NOUN
A kindergarten is an informal kind of school for very young children, where they learn things by playing.