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