The wish or desire to have one or more children of one's own.
example
Nach mehreren Jahren erfüllte sich das Paar endlich seinen Kinderwunsch.
After several years, the couple finally fulfilled their desire to have children.
Usage tips
Compound word
The word is a clear compound of 'Kinder' (plural of 'das Kind', child) and 'der Wunsch' (wish/desire). So it literally describes the wish for children.
EXAMPLE
Sie sprach mit ihrem Partner offen über ihren Kinderwunsch.
She spoke openly with her partner about her desire to have children.
Typical verbs
'Kinderwunsch' is often combined with certain verbs. Typical phrases are 'einen Kinderwunsch haben' (to have a desire to have children), 'sich seinen Kinderwunsch erfüllen' (to fulfill one's desire to have children), or to speak of an 'unerfüllten Kinderwunsch' (unfulfilled desire to have children).
EXAMPLE
Viele Paare haben einen starken Kinderwunsch.
Many couples have a strong desire to have children.
Use with possessives
The word is very often used with a possessive pronoun such as 'mein' (my), 'ihr' (her/their), 'sein' (his), or 'unser' (our) to make clear whose wish it is.
EXAMPLE
Ihr Kinderwunsch wurde durch eine Adoption Wirklichkeit.
Her desire to have children became a reality through adoption.