English · Word Candidate

infant

/ˈɪn.fənt/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: infants

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A very young human being, from birth to somewhere between six months and two years of age after birth, needing almost constant care and attention.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A minor.

Noun

Examples

Thomas Humphrey Doleman died the 30th of August 1712, an infant, intestate and without issue; Lewis the next nephew died the 17th of April 1716, an infant about sixteen years old, having left his mother Mary Webb, ...

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 3

Meaning · English

Of or pertaining to the earlier half of primary school education.

AdjectiveRegister: UK

Examples

Primary schooling in Ireland comprises two Infant years, which are equivalent to pre-school in other countries , and six grades or classes.

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 4

Meaning · English

small, being near its source.

Adjective

Examples

Leaving Nantyglo, a small station at an altitude of 1,030 ft. with the platform on the eastern side, the train runs northwards over former G.W.R. metals, with the infant River Ebbw, a little more than a yard wide, on the west.

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 “infant” mean?

A very young human being, from birth to somewhere between six months and two years of age after birth, needing almost constant care and attention.

Is “infant” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.