infancy

noun

in·​fan·​cy ˈin-fən(t)-sē 

plural infancies

1

: early childhood

2

: a beginning or early period of existence

3

: the legal status of an infant

Examples of infancy in a Sentence

She was often sick during her infancy.

a skill developed in infancy

She has been a member of the church since its infancy.

Recent Examples on the Web

He was born with single suture sagittal craniosynostosis — a condition in which skull bones fuse too early in infancy, potentially causing problems with brain growth — and had six major surgeries by age 10. —Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026

This is to honor the love of a child gone too soon, whether during pregnacy, infancy, childhood or adulthood. —Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 1 May 2026

The use of wind tunnels to simulate its effect on scale models of cars was in its infancy, so teams were mostly limited to expensive and sometimes dangerous track testing. —Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2026

Still, quantum computing is currently in its infancy. —Gary Skuse, The Conversation, 28 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing infancy

• in one's infancy

Kids Definition

infancy

noun

in·​fan·​cy ˈin-fən-sē 

plural infancies

1

: early childhood

2

: a beginning or early period of existence

Medical Definition

infancy

noun

in·​fan·​cy ˈin-fən-sē 

plural infancies

1

: early childhood

2

: the legal status of an infant

Legal Definition

infancy

noun

in·​fan·​cy ˈin-fən-sē 

plural infancies

1

: the legal status of an infant : minority

2

: the affirmative defense of lacking legal capacity (as to make a contract or commit a crime) because of being too young and especially because one's age is below an age set by statute