infant

1 of 2

noun

in·​fant ˈin-fənt How to pronounce infant (audio)
1
: a child in the first period of life
2
: a person who is not of full age : minor

infant

2 of 2

adjective

1
: intended for young children
2
: being in an early stage of development
3
: of, relating to, or being in infancy

Examples of infant in a Sentence

Noun a study of health problems that can affect young infants He showed us a picture of his infant daughter. Adjective She is an infant teacher.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
Advertisement Advertisement Supporters frame baby drop boxes as a beautiful solution for all parties involved—relinquishing parents, infants anonymously surrendered, and families who eventually adopt them. Time, 28 May 2025 Nursery night-lights work well for children who are afraid of the dark and people who need to get up in the middle of the night with their tired infant. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025
Adjective
Despite claims to the contrary, these layoffs included dozens of scientists who conduct quality control and proficiency testing on everything from infant formula to dairy products and pet foods. Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 1 May 2025 The flashpoint was the hospital’s role in a child protection case involving the infant grandson of one of Bundy’s friends. Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for infant

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English enfaunt, from Anglo-French enfant, from Latin infant-, infans, from infant-, infans, adjective, incapable of speech, young, from in- + fant-, fans, present participle of fari to speak — more at ban entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of infant was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Infant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infant. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

infant

noun
in·​fant
ˈin-fənt
: a child in the first period of life
infant adjective

Medical Definition

infant

noun
in·​fant ˈin-fənt How to pronounce infant (audio)
1
a
: a child in the first year of life : baby
b
: a child several years of age
2
: a person who is not of full age : minor
infant adjective

Legal Definition

infant

noun
in·​fant ˈin-fənt How to pronounce infant (audio)
: a person who is not of the age of majority : minor compare adult

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