/ ˈtʃaɪldhʊd; NAmE / noun
[ U , C ] the period of sb's life when they are a child :
childhood, adolescence and adulthood
in early childhood
childhood memories / experiences
She had a happy childhood.
childhood cancer
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IDIOMS
- a / sb's second childhood
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English cildhād (see child , -hood ).