grade school

noun

: elementary school
grade-schooler
ˈgrād-ˌskü-lər How to pronounce grade school (audio)
noun

Examples of grade school in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Murphy was a diminutive, formal woman of Irish birth who never finished grade school but had a great appetite for learning. — Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026 Town & Country School (Tulsa) Town & Country School in Tulsa is an accredited second to 12th grade school which serves around 170 students. — Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 27 Aug. 2026 Although an exact date has yet to be confirmed, readers can expect the Nike Ja 4 Halloween to be released in October for a retail price of $145 in adult sizing and $125 for grade school sizes. — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026 Her daughter was just studying the Reconstruction era in grade school now. — Murr Brewster, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grade school

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of grade school was in 1869

Rhymes for grade school

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Browse Nearby Words

grader man
grade school
grade separation
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Cite this Entry

“Grade school.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grade%20school. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

grade school

noun
: a public school including the first six or the first eight grades

More from Merriam-Webster on grade school

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about grade school

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