childhood
/ˈtʃaɪld.hʊd/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: childhoods
Sense 1
Meaning · English
The state of being a child.
Noun
Examples
Of a ſuretie, it is a ioyfull thynge to reioyce in the chyldhode of chyldren, but it is a ryght cruel thing to ſuffre the importunities of their mothers.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
The time during which one is a child, from between infancy and puberty.
Noun
Examples
He stood transfixed before the unaccustomed view of London at night time, a vast panorama which reminded him […] of some wood engravings far off and magical, in a printshop in his childhood.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “childhood” mean?
The state of being a child.
Is “childhood” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.