noun
Uncommon
daycare
DAY-kair
Daycare (noun) means Supervised care for children (or sometimes pets) during working hours, provided by someone other than a parent. Example: “She drops her son off at daycare on her way to work.”
noun
1
Supervised care for children (or sometimes pets) during working hours, provided by someone other than a parent.
"She drops her son off at daycare on her way to work."
"The daycare center has an outdoor play area for the toddlers."
How to use daycare
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishChildcare provided during working hours, either at a center or in someone's home.
UK vs US
More common in American English; British English often says "nursery" or "childminder" instead.
Common pairings
daycare center
drop off at daycare
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Word forms
- Plural
- daycares
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She drops her son off at _____ on her way to work.
Etymology
From "day" plus "care" — care provided during the daytime while parents are at work.
Synonyms
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day care
Rhymes for daycare
See all rhymes for daycare →Frequently asked questions
What does “daycare” mean?
The word “daycare” means supervised care for children (or sometimes pets) during working hours, provided by someone other than a parent. In plain terms, childcare provided during working hours, either at a center or in someone's home.
How do you pronounce “daycare”?
“Daycare” is pronounced DAY-kair (/ˈdeɪkeə(ɹ)/ in IPA).
How do you use “daycare” in a sentence?
Here is “daycare” used in a sentence: “She drops her son off at daycare on her way to work.”
What part of speech is “daycare”?
“Daycare” is a noun.
Is “daycare” a common word?
“Daycare” is an uncommon word in modern English.
