children's hour, the: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Literary / HistoricalLiterary, somewhat archaic, or nostalgic. Used in historical or formal family contexts; not common in contemporary everyday speech.
Quick answer
What does “children's hour, the” mean?
A specific, traditionally scheduled period of time in the early evening, typically just before dinner, when children come down from the nursery to spend time with their parents.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specific, traditionally scheduled period of time in the early evening, typically just before dinner, when children come down from the nursery to spend time with their parents.
By extension, it can refer to any designated period of time for adult-child interaction, or, metaphorically, a brief period of innocence, vulnerability, or family focus before more serious adult concerns resume. It is also the title of a famous Longfellow poem and later a play.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originates from and was more culturally embedded in British (particularly English) domestic life. Its use in American English is primarily literary or allusive (referring to the poem/play).
Connotations
In BrE, it can evoke a specific historical social practice. In AmE, the primary connotation is often the 1934 Lillian Hellman play or the Longfellow poem.
Frequency
Rare in modern usage in both varieties, but more likely to be understood in its historical sense in BrE.
Grammar
How to Use “children's hour, the” in a Sentence
At + children's hour (At the children's hour, the house filled with laughter.)During + the + children's hourThe + children's hour + of + [noun phrase] (the children's hour of innocence)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “children's hour, the” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The nanny would marshal the children to descend for the children's hour.
- The tradition of children's hour-ing has faded.
American English
- They tried to children's-hour every evening, but busy schedules interfered.
adverb
British English
- He arrived children's-hour-ly, at precisely six o'clock.
- They met almost children's-hour-ishly, with routine.
American English
- The family gathered children's-hour-style in the den.
adjective
British English
- The children's-hour ritual was sacrosanct.
- She maintained a children's-hour schedule.
American English
- It was a classic children's-hour tradition in their household.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, literary, or social history contexts to describe Victorian domesticity.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be used nostalgically or ironically by older generations.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “children's hour, the”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “children's hour, the”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “children's hour, the”
- Using it to mean 'an hour when children are generally active'.
- Omitting the definite article 'the'.
- Using it in a contemporary context without ironic or nostalgic intent.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not as a formal, named ritual. The concept of dedicated 'family time' exists, but the specific term and its Victorian associations are largely historical.
Because 'children' is already a plural noun (plural of 'child'). To make a plural noun possessive, you add an apostrophe after the 's' (children's).
It could theoretically be used as a title for a TV segment, but it's not a generic term for children's programming. Its primary meanings are historical/literary.
The 1860 poem 'The Children's Hour' by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, which popularised the phrase, and the 1934 play 'The Children's Hour' by Lillian Hellman, which used it ironically.
A specific, traditionally scheduled period of time in the early evening, typically just before dinner, when children come down from the nursery to spend time with their parents.
Children's hour, the is usually literary, somewhat archaic, or nostalgic. used in historical or formal family contexts; not common in contemporary everyday speech. in register.
Children's hour, the: in British English it is pronounced /ðə ˈʧɪl.drənz ˈaʊə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ðə ˈʧɪl.drənz ˈaʊ.ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not an idiom itself, but a titled concept]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the classic image: CHILDREN descending the stairs at the 'HOUR' when the clock strikes, to see their parents in the drawing-room.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A CONTAINER (for familial bonding and innocence). THE EVENING IS A STAGE (for domestic ritual).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary connotation of 'the children's hour' in modern American English?