preschool

1 of 2

adjective

pre·​school ˈprē-ˌskül 

(ˌ)prē-ˈskül

: of, relating to, or constituting the period in a child's life that ordinarily precedes attendance at elementary school

preschool

2 of 2

noun

pre·​school ˈprē-ˌskül 

: a school for children usually younger than those attending elementary school or kindergarten : nursery school

Synonyms of preschool

Noun

• nursery

Examples of preschool in a Sentence

Noun

children excited about starting preschool

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The coalition used federal COVID-19 relief money to implement it in 150 preschool classrooms. —Michael Cuglietta, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026

Plans also call for parks, a preschool and space for a fire station. —Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 28 Apr. 2026

Noun

Mecklenburg County’s public preschool program, MECK Pre-K, opened applications in January. —Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 28 Apr. 2026

John Patrick and her older son, who attended the same preschool, have even given their parents advice. —Moriah Balingit, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1914, in the meaning defined above

Noun

circa 1925, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for preschool

• ampoule
• bascule
• carpool
• cesspool
• ferrule
• footstool
• guayule
• lobule
• misrule
• pustule
• whirlpool
• boule

Kids Definition

preschool

1 of 2 adjective

pre·​school ˈprē-ˌskül 

: of, relating to, or being the period in a child's life to the age of five or six that ordinarily precedes attendance at school

preschool

2 of 2 noun

: a school for children usually younger than those attending elementary school or kindergarten : nursery school