child abuse: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2-C1Formal, legal, medical, journalistic. Rarely used in casual conversation due to its serious nature.
Quick answer
What does “child abuse” mean?
Intentional actions that cause harm or the risk of harm to a child, including physical, emotional, or sexual mistreatment, neglect, and exploitation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Intentional actions that cause harm or the risk of harm to a child, including physical, emotional, or sexual mistreatment, neglect, and exploitation.
The term can extend metaphorically to describe situations where trust and care for the vulnerable are fundamentally betrayed. In systems thinking, it can refer to institutional failures that perpetuate harm to children.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. 'Child protection' is the common UK term for the official system; 'Child Protective Services (CPS)' is the common US agency name.
Connotations
Universally carries extreme gravity and societal condemnation.
Frequency
Equally frequent in serious discourse in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “child abuse” in a Sentence
accuse someone of child abuseprotect children from child abuseconvict someone for child abusea campaign against child abuseVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “child abuse” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The council launched a major review into the child abuse scandal.
- Early intervention is key to breaking the cycle of child abuse.
American English
- She testified before the grand jury about the systemic child abuse in the institution.
- The new law mandates stricter reporting of suspected child abuse.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
N/A (Inappropriate context).
Academic
Used in psychology, social work, law, and sociology research to categorise and analyse acts of maltreatment.
Everyday
Used in news reports and serious discussions about safeguarding.
Technical
Precisely defined in legal statutes (e.g., the Children Act 1989 in UK) and diagnostic manuals (e.g., DSM-5).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “child abuse”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “child abuse”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “child abuse”
- Using 'child's abuse' (possessive is rare unless specifying a particular child).
- Confusing it with 'child discipline'.
- Using in overly casual contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a broad term encompassing physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, as well as neglect and exploitation.
Child abuse typically involves a power imbalance with a caregiver or adult in a position of trust. Bullying usually occurs between peers, though severe bullying can be a form of emotional abuse.
Yes, legally a 'child' is anyone under the age of 18, so abuse of a 16-year-old is still child abuse.
Legally, it varies by jurisdiction. In many countries, certain forms are permitted, while others ban it entirely. Socially and professionally, it is increasingly viewed as a harmful practice that can constitute abuse.
Intentional actions that cause harm or the risk of harm to a child, including physical, emotional, or sexual mistreatment, neglect, and exploitation.
Child abuse is usually formal, legal, medical, journalistic. rarely used in casual conversation due to its serious nature. in register.
Child abuse: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃaɪld əˌbjuːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃaɪld əˌbjuːs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A cycle of abuse (can be intergenerational)”
- “To open a can of worms (when an investigation reveals widespread abuse)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the word 'abuse' as 'a misuse' – child abuse is a gross misuse of power and care over a child.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHILD ABUSE IS A STAIN ON SOCIETY. CHILD ABUSE IS A BETRAYAL OF TRUST.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT typically a primary category of child abuse?