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Children: Meaning, Definition, Grammar, and Examples

    Definition & Pronunciation

    /ˈtʃɪldrən/ (CHIL-druhn)

    Children are young human beings who are still growing physically, cognitively, emotionally, socially, and behaviorally. The word is the irregular plural of child and generally refers to people from birth until adulthood. Children depend on families, caregivers, schools, healthcare services, and communities for protection, education, guidance, and support.

    Sexopedia Quick Reference

    Children

    Also Known As: Young people, kids (informal), minors (legal context)

    Grammar
    Part of speech: Plural nounForms:Singular: child, Plural: children, Singular possessive: child’s, Plural possessive: children’s
    Synonyms
    Young people, Youngsters, Minors, Juveniles (legal context), Kids (informal)
    Antonyms
    Adults, Grown-ups, Mature individuals
    Related Terms
    Child, childhood, family, parenting, human development, adolescence, puberty, child safeguarding

    Easy Explanation

    Children are young people who are continuing to learn, grow, and develop. During childhood, they acquire language, knowledge, physical abilities, emotional awareness, social skills, and increasing independence.

    Children need safe and supportive environments. Positive relationships with parents, caregivers, teachers, relatives, and other trusted adults help them develop confidence, resilience, empathy, and healthy ways of communicating with others.

    Word Comparisons

    Children vs. Child

    Child refers to one young person, while children refers to two or more young people.

    Children vs. Adolescents

    Children is a broad term for young people before adulthood. Adolescents are young people passing through adolescence, a developmental stage associated with puberty and increasing physical, emotional, and social maturity.

    Children vs. Minors

    Children is the ordinary everyday term. Minors is more commonly used in legal and administrative contexts for people who have not reached the legally recognized age of adulthood.

    Children vs. Offspring

    Offspring is a biological term for the young produced by parents and may refer to humans, animals, or plants. Children specifically refers to young human beings or to sons and daughters in relation to their parents.

    Connotations

    The word children generally has a protective and caring connotation. It is associated with growth, learning, curiosity, development, education, safety, and the responsibility of adults and communities to support young people.

    The term may also emphasize vulnerability because children require appropriate care, protection, and guidance as they develop.

    Meaning with Prepositions

    • children in school
    • children with supportive caregivers
    • children from different cultural backgrounds
    • children underadult supervision
    • children betweeninfancy and adolescence

    Real-Life Examples

    Parents encourage children to communicate honestly and treat others with kindness.

    Teachers help children develop knowledge, confidence, and problem-solving skills.

    Healthcare professionals monitor children’s physical and emotional development throughout childhood.

    Communities protect children by providing safe schools, healthcare, recreation, and safeguarding services.

    Common Collocations

    • young children
    • school-age children
    • children’s health
    • children’s education
    • children’s rights
    • children’s development
    • child protection
    • child safeguarding
    • family support
    • healthy development

    Idiomatic and Figurative Usage

    The word children may be used figuratively for people strongly associated with a particular period, place, culture, or movement.

    For example:

    • children of the digital age
    • children of nature
    • children of the revolution

    In these expressions, the word does not necessarily refer to literal young people. It emphasizes a strong connection with a particular environment, generation, or idea.

    Sample Sentences

    • Children learn through education, play, relationships, and everyday experiences.
    • Supportive families contribute to children’s emotional well-being.
    • Every community has a responsibility to protect children from harm.
    • Children gradually develop independence as they grow.
    • Respectful communication helps children form healthy relationships.

    Connection to Sexuality

    Children are an important subject in human development and sexuality education because healthy growth includes learning age-appropriate information about the body, privacy, personal safety, boundaries, respect, and trusted relationships. This education should be appropriate to the child’s age and developmental level.

    For younger children, relevant lessons may include correct names for body parts, understanding private and public behavior, recognizing uncomfortable situations, respecting another person’s physical space, and seeking help from a trusted adult. As children approach puberty, education may gradually include physical development, menstruation, reproductive health, emotional changes, and responsible communication.

    Children require strong safeguarding from sexual exploitation, abuse, and inappropriate adult behavior. Respectful, evidence-based education can help protect their dignity and well-being while preparing them to understand healthy relationships as they mature.

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