Where does the word "kindergarten" come from?

Question

My oldest daughter just started kindergarten today, and it occurred to me that "kindergarten" is a peculiar word. It seems German, but I'm not sure. Does anybody know where our country's use of the word "kindergarten" comes from?

Answer 1

According to the Websters 17th edition of the dictionary, the word kindergarten actually comes from the German language. The word kinder means children and the garten means garden. In English, this translates into garden of children.

Answer 2

The previous answer is correct.  It is a german combination of words.  It was orginally more like what we think of as Day-care now.

Answer 3

It is German. "Kinder" = children, "Garten" = garden.