Word
kindergarten
Phoneticskinder·garten
US/ˈkɪndɝˌɡɑɹtən/
UK/kˈɪndəɡˌɑːtən/
Definitions
01school for young children
A2 · Elementary Countable noun Education
n. a school for children who are too young for primary school.
n. an educational establishment for children typically aged between four and six; often synonymous with nursery school in certain dialects.
“My daughter is starting kindergarten this September and she already has her new backpack.”
“The local kindergarten focuses on play-based learning to help children develop social skills before they enter the formal primary education system.”
Usage
In many countries, this is the first stage of compulsory or semi-compulsory education.
Synonyms
02the grade before first grade
B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun Education American English
n. the first year of school for children around age five, before they start first grade.
n. the specific year of schooling that precedes first grade in the North American and Australian systems.
“In kindergarten, children learn the alphabet and how to count to twenty.”
“The curriculum for kindergarten has become increasingly academic over the last decade, with a greater emphasis on early literacy and numeracy.”
Teaching tip
In British English, the equivalent stage is usually called 'Reception' or 'nursery'.
Etymology
Unadapted borrowing from German Kindergarten (“kindergarten”, literally “garden of children”), coined by German pedagogue Friedrich Fröbel (early 19th century).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- A2 · Elementary
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/kindergarten