noun
kindergarten
KIHN-duh-gahtn
noun
1
A school or class for young children, typically aged around four to six, that comes before the first formal grade of primary school.
"My daughter starts kindergarten in September."
"The kindergarten classroom was full of colourful drawings."
How to Use Kindergarten
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe first year of formal schooling for young children, before grade one — or a nursery-style school for that age group.
UK vs US
Very common in American English as an official school grade; in the UK the equivalent stage is usually called "reception" or "nursery."
Common pairings
start kindergarten
kindergarten teacher
kindergarten class
Word Forms
kindergartens plural, kindergärten plural
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Etymology
Borrowed directly from German Kindergarten, literally "children's garden," coined by educator Friedrich Fröbel in 1840 to describe his new style of early-years school.