age

noun

\ ˈāj

Definition of age

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a : the time of life at which some particular qualification, power, or capacity arises or rests the voting age is 18 specifically : majority

b : one of the stages of life

c : the length of an existence extending from the beginning to any given time a boy 10 years of age

d : lifetime

e : an advanced stage of life

2 : a period of time dominated by a central figure or prominent feature the age of Pericles : such as

a : a period in history or human progress the age of reptiles the age of exploration

b : a cultural period marked by the prominence of a particular item entering the atomic age

c : a division of geologic time that is usually shorter than an epoch

3a : the period contemporary with a person's lifetime or with his or her active life

b : a long time —usually used in plural haven't seen him in ages

c : generation

4 : an individual's development measured in terms of the years requisite for like development of an average individual

age

verb

aged; aging or ageing

Definition of age (Entry 2 of 3)

intransitive verb

1 : to become old : show the effects or the characteristics of increasing age

2 : to acquire a desirable quality (such as mellowness or ripeness) by standing undisturbed for some time letting cheese age

transitive verb

1 : to cause to become old

2 : to bring to a state fit for use or to maturity

-age

noun suffix

Definition of -age (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : aggregate : collection trackage

2a : action : process haulage

b : cumulative result of breakage

c : rate of dosage

3 : house or place of orphanage

4 : state : rank peonage

5 : charge postage

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More About age

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms for age

Synonyms: Noun

Synonyms: Verb

Choose the Right Synonym for age

Noun

period, epoch, era, age mean a division of time. period may designate an extent of time of any length. periods of economic prosperity epoch applies to a period begun or set off by some significant or striking quality, change, or series of events. the steam engine marked a new epoch in industry era suggests a period of history marked by a new or distinct order of things. the era of global communications age is used frequently of a fairly definite period dominated by a prominent figure or feature. the age of Samuel Johnson

Examples of age in a Sentence

Noun Some people are reluctant to reveal their ages. She died tragically at a young age. The treatment depends on the sex and age of the patient. She died at the ripe old age of 90. The movie appeals to people of all ages. Their son needs to spend more time with children his own age. a group of children ranging in age from 8 to 11 She became involved with a man twice her age. The program is for people over age 50. groups of people classified by race and age Verb As he aged he grew more and more bitter. You haven't aged a day since I saw you last! His troubles have aged him. Exposure to the sun has aged her skin. The wine ages in oak barrels. The wine is aged in oak barrels.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Chief Justice Maureen O'Connor, who is not eligible to run for reelection because of age limits, is seen as the swing vote. — Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 15 Sep. 2021 Since the early 2000s, Chinese luxury buyers have also spread across a wider range of demographics, including income and age, which has propped up the market even as spending from the ultrawealthy and high-profile took a hit. — Yvonne Lau, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2021 Of course no one argues that women of every age in Afghanistan are victims of the deeply misogynist and twisted ideology embraced by the Taliban. — Dr Margie Warrell, Forbes, 15 Sep. 2021 Exhibit panels will be displayed on three levels of the library and children up to age 12 can participate in a scavenger hunt organized by the RRPL’s Children’s Department. — Carol Kovach, cleveland, 15 Sep. 2021 The payments include up to $300 per eligible child under age 6 and $250 per child for ages 6-17. — Leada Gore | Lgore@al.com, al, 15 Sep. 2021 Young age, outdoor work and … a lot of the populations are out there in the rural areas. — Helen Branswell, STAT, 15 Sep. 2021 Bishop Spong was an outspoken leader of the church’s liberal wing, known for his efforts to open the faith to marginalized groups and preach a message of love and justice that would resonate in an increasingly secular age. — Washington Post, 15 Sep. 2021 The league has five age divisions: 6U, 8U, 10U, 12U and 14U. — Emmett Hall, sun-sentinel.com, 15 Sep. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Since then, every Rémy Martin cellar master has been tasked with the challenge of harvesting and aging brandies that would slowly age over multiple decades, ultimately ending up as a component within a future Louis XIII blend. — Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 4 Sep. 2021 As kids age up into their tween/early teen years, scary and gross humor becomes more popular. — Jackson Weimer, Forbes, 1 Sep. 2021 Accidents and violence are the leading causes of death up to age forty-four, then cancer rises to the top, and then, at sixty-five, heart disease. — Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2021 Barring changes to the laws of physics, my older sister and I age at the same rate. — Washington Post, 28 June 2021 COVID Data Tracker, there were 0.42 admissions per 100,000 kids age zero through 19 nationwide from Aug. 1 through Aug. 17. — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Aug. 2021 Others are calling for additional shots for the elderly, noting that immune systems weaken as people age. — Johnny Edwards, ajc, 13 Aug. 2021 Accidents and violence are the leading causes of death up to age forty-four, then cancer rises to the top, and then, at sixty-five, heart disease. — Margaret Talbot, The New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2021 Even though Black skin doesn't age as quickly as others, Black influencers still face pressure to look perfect. — Ruth Samuel, Allure, 21 July 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'age.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for age

Noun

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French aage, age (earlier Old French edage, eage), from eé, aé "age, lifetime" (going back to Latin aetāt-, aetās, contraction of earlier aevitās, from aevum "time, lifetime" + -itāt-, -itās -ity) + -age -age — more at aye entry 3

Verb

Middle English agen, derivative of age age entry 1

Noun suffix

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, going back to Latin -āticum (as in viāticum "provision for a journey"), neuter of -āticus, adjective suffix of appurtenance, from -a- (probably generalized from verbal derivatives, as vēnāticus "used for hunting," from vēnārī "to hunt") + -ticus, borrowed from Greek -tikos, generalized from derivatives of agent nouns (as athlētikós athletic) from athlḗtēs athlete

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More About age

Dictionary Entries Near age

agd

age

-age

Statistics for age

Last Updated

18 Sep 2021

Cite this Entry

“Age.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/age. Accessed 24 Sep. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for age

age

noun

English Language Learners Definition of age

(Entry 1 of 3)

: the amount of time during which a person or animal has lived

: the amount of time during which a thing has existed

: the time of life when a person does something or becomes legally able to do something

age

verb

English Language Learners Definition of age (Entry 2 of 3)

: to become old or older

: to cause (someone or something) to become old or to appear to be old

: to be stored for a period of time in order to gain desired qualities

-age

noun suffix

English Language Learners Definition of -age (Entry 3 of 3)

: action, process, or result of

: total amount or collection

: house or place of

See the full definition for -age in the English Language Learners Dictionary

age

noun

\ ˈāj

Kids Definition of age

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : the amount of time during which someone or something has lived or existed The child was six years of age.

2 : the time of life when a person receives some right or capacity The voting age is 18.

3 : the later part of life His mind was active in age as in youth.

4 : the condition of being old The building is showing signs of age.

5 : a period of time associated with a person or thing the age of dinosaurs

6 : a long period of time It's been ages since we last saw you.

age

verb

aged\ ˈājd \; aging or ageing

Kids Definition of age (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : to become old or older As he aged, he grew more forgetful.

2 : to cause to become old or to appear to be old Her troubles have aged her.

3 : to remain or cause to remain undisturbed until fit for use : mature The cheese must age.

-age

noun suffix

\ ij \

Kids Definition of -age

1 : total amount : collection mileage

2 : action : process coverage

3 : result of coinage

4 : rate of shrinkage

5 : house or place of orphanage

6 : state : condition blockage

7 : fee : charge postage

age

noun

\ ˈāj

Medical Definition of age

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : the part of life from birth to a given time a child 10 years of age

b : the time or part of life at which some particular event, qualification, or capacity arises, occurs, or is lost of reproductive age age of onset — see middle age

c : an advanced stage of life

2 : an individual's development measured in terms of the years requisite for like development of an average individual a child of 7 with a mental age of 10 — see binet age, mental age

age

verb

aged; aging or ageing

Medical Definition of age (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

: to become old : show the effects or the characteristics of increasing age

transitive verb

: to cause to become old

Keep scrolling for more

age

noun