infant

UK: /ˈɪnfənt/ US: /ˈɪnfənt/ ,(in′fənt)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

in•fant /ˈɪnfənt/   n. [countable]

1. a child during the earliest period of its life.

adj. [before a noun]

2. of or relating to infants or infancy:
   infant mortality rates.
3. being in the earliest stage:
   a technology in its infant stages.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

in•fant  (in′fənt), n. 

1. a child during the earliest period of its life, esp. before he or she can walk;
   baby.
2. Lawmaking a person who is not of full age, esp. one who has not reached the age of 18 years;
   a minor.
3. a beginner, as in experience or learning;
   novice:
   The new candidate is a political infant.
4. anything in the first stage of existence or progress.

adj. 

5. of or pertaining to infants or infancy:
   infant years.
6. being in infancy:
   an infant king.
7. being in the earliest stage:
   an infant industry.
8. Law of or pertaining to the legal state of infancy;
   minor.

• Latin, as above
• Anglo-French
• Latin infant- (stem of infāns) small child, literally, one unable to speak, equivalent. to in- in-³ + -fāns, present participle of fārī to speak; replacing Middle English enfaunt
• 1350–1400

in′fant•hood′, n. 
in′fant•like′, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

infant / ˈɪnfənt/ noun

1. a child at the earliest stage of its life; baby
2. another word for minor10
3. a young schoolchild, usually under the age of seven
4. a person who is beginning or inexperienced in an activity
5. (modifier) of or relating to young children or infancy
6. designed or intended for young children

adjective

1. in an early stage of development; nascent: an infant science or industry
2. of or relating to the legal status of infancy

Etymology: 14th Century: from Latin infāns, literally: speechless, from in-¹ + fārī to speak

ˈinfantˌhood noun