DictionarychildYoung person
noun

child

CHYLD/tʃaɪld/

A young human being in relation to an older generation.

The child builds a tower from wooden blocks.

Child builds a wooden block tower.
Etymology

Old English cild referred to a fetus or infant before broadening to a young person. The phrase “with child,” meaning pregnant, preserves the earlier connection with life in the womb.

In context

Steve Joordens21:04
and this child has has not been around too many animals still very young but you know let's let's say a year and a half two so it can crawl around and it can interact
Module 9A - Recapitulation (Hall and Baldwin)

More examples

  • Children need time to play.
  • All three adult children came home for the celebration.
  • He is an only child.

Forms

child · children

childhood noun — the period of being a child

Similar words

youngster
Informal; emphasizes youth.
kid
The common informal equivalent.