growing pains

plural noun

1

: pains in the legs of growing children having no demonstrable relation to growth

2

: the stresses and strains attending a new project or development

Examples of growing pains in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Indeed, the new world order is in a state of disruptive flux that promises years of growing pains. —John Rennie Short, The Conversation, 11 Sep. 2025

With starting right tackle Austin Jackson having already missed most of training camp with a toe injury, the Dolphins offensive line was going to have growing pains as the unit tries to find their rhythm. —Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025

Yet these are growing pains typical of any new hardware category. —Mark Vena, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

There surely will be growing pains, but the Wild vow to put him in a position to succeed. —Michael Russo, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1810, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for growing pains

• aeroplanes
• appertains
• ascertains
• entertains
• hurricanes
• hyperplanes
• windowpanes
• abstains
• achenes
• alkanes
• attains
• biplanes

Kids Definition

growing pains

plural noun

1

: pains in the legs of growing children having no proven relation to growth

2

: difficulties that accompany something new

a business going through growing pains

Medical Definition

growing pains

noun plural

grow·​ing pains ˈgrō-iŋ-ˌpānz 

: pains occurring in the legs of growing children having no demonstrable relation to growth