Main Entry: ad·o·les·cence

Pronunciation: \ˌa-də-ˈle-s^ən(t)s\

Function: noun

Date: 15th century

1 : the state or process of growing up
2 : the period of life from puberty to maturity terminating legally at the age of majority
3 : a stage of development (as of a language or culture) prior to maturity