latchkey child
noun
: a school-aged child of working parents who must spend part of the day unsupervised (as at home)
called also latchkey kid
Examples of latchkey child in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
As latchkey children raised in dual-income households or by single parents, convenience was king.
—
Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Aug. 2025
The latchkey child situation, of kids growing up in single-parent households.
—Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Nov. 2024
The first national conference on latchkey children soon followed, bringing together researchers, advocates, policy makers, and child-care providers.
—Elliot Haspel, The Atlantic, 23 Aug. 2024
As a latchkey child of non-European immigrants who has Salt-N-Pepa, Prince and Phil Collins on her summer playlist, Harris — a Dorito-loving, Converse-and-pearls-wearing collaborative leader who doesn’t always seek the spotlight — is ours.
—Petula Dvorak, Washington Post, 13 Aug. 2020
The six competing students range from varied backgrounds such as homeschooled, Catholic school, Boy Scout, latchkey child and prodigy.
—Philip Potempa, Post-Tribune, 11 July 2018
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Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Aug. 2025
The latchkey child situation, of kids growing up in single-parent households.
—Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Nov. 2024
The first national conference on latchkey children soon followed, bringing together researchers, advocates, policy makers, and child-care providers.
—Elliot Haspel, The Atlantic, 23 Aug. 2024
As a latchkey child of non-European immigrants who has Salt-N-Pepa, Prince and Phil Collins on her summer playlist, Harris — a Dorito-loving, Converse-and-pearls-wearing collaborative leader who doesn’t always seek the spotlight — is ours.
—Petula Dvorak, Washington Post, 13 Aug. 2020
The six competing students range from varied backgrounds such as homeschooled, Catholic school, Boy Scout, latchkey child and prodigy.
—Philip Potempa, Post-Tribune, 11 July 2018
Cite this Entry
“Latchkey child.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/latchkey%20child. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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