kindergartner

noun

kin·​der·​gart·​ner ˈkin-dər-ˌgärt-nər How to pronounce kindergartner (audio)
ˈkin-də-, 
-ˌgärd-
variants or less commonly kindergartener
ˈkin-dər-ˌgär-tə-nər How to pronounce kindergartner (audio)
ˈkin-də-, 
-də- How to pronounce kindergartner (audio)
Synonyms of kindergartnernext
1
: a child attending or of an age to attend kindergarten
2
: a teacher at a kindergarten

Examples of kindergartner 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.
This year, vaccination rates among kindergartners decreased across immunizations for measles, mumps, rubella, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. — Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 Last year, about 88% of kindergartners and 83% of seventh-graders started school fully vaccinated against measles in Lancaster County, far lower than the 95% threshold that creates community protection or herd immunity. — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026 About 88% of kindergartners in the county were up to date on their measles vaccines during the last school year, according to state data. — Mike Stobbe, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 In Idaho, for example, over the 2025-2026 school year, more than 20 percent of kindergartners lacked immunity against polio. — Eli Cahan, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for kindergartner

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of kindergartner was in 1868

Rhymes for kindergartner

See All Rhymes for kindergartner

Browse Nearby Words

kindergarten
kindergartner
Kinderhook
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Cite this Entry

“Kindergartner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kindergartner. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

kindergartner

noun
kin·​der·​gart·​ner ˈkin-der-ˌgärt-nər How to pronounce kindergartner (audio)
-ˌgärd-
: a kindergarten pupil

More from Merriam-Webster on kindergartner

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