adolescence

noun ad·o·les·cence \ ˌa-də-ˈle-sᵊn(t)s \

Definition of adolescence

1 :the period of life when a child develops into an adult :the period from puberty to maturity terminating legally at the age of majority (see majority 2a)

He struggled through his adolescence.

2 :the state or process of growing up

3 :a stage of development (as of a language or culture) prior to maturity

See adolescence defined for English-language learners

See adolescence defined for kids

Examples of adolescence in a Sentence

Their children are on the verge of adolescence.
He struggled through his adolescence.

Recent Examples of adolescence from the Web

Well, the e-commerce revolution is just entering its adolescence.

— seattle times staff, The Seattle Times, "The Motley Fool: Useful tips on investing," 19 Aug. 2017
Students previously received the vaccine before entering college dorm life, but the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices aims to reduce cases of bacterial meningitis in adolescence and early adulthood.

— Cincinnati.com, "Important vaccination recommendations and updates for teens, preteens," 14 Aug. 2017
Hoodoo Mountain — the secluded site where Ruskovich spent her adolescence — inspired the story.

— nicole blanchard, idahostatesman, "Mountains and a Flemish giant rabbit fuel 'Idaho' author's writing passion," 11 Aug. 2017
Photographer: Anup Shah/Getty Images Elephants Elephants can be seen year-round in families of about 10 females with their offspring, which continue to rely on their mothers through adolescence.

— nic mccormack, Bloomberg.com, "Why the Great Migration Needs to Top Your Bucket List, in 15 Photos," 28 July 2017
His first attraction to men happened early in his life, beginning in adolescence.

— jennie melamed, Teen Vogue, "What It’s Like to Have Your Dad Come Out as Gay," 25 July 2017
For me the Knapp house will always provide a satisfying memory of childhood and adolescence.

— OregonLive.com, "14 Portland treasures trashed in the name of progress," 18 July 2017
The show’s about this prolonged adolescence that everyone in the cast has.

— vanityfair.com, "Fred Savage on the Profane Wonder Years Reunion the World Will Never See," 14 July 2017
The show’s about this prolonged adolescence that everyone in the cast has.

— will harris, HWD, "Fred Savage on the Profane Wonder Years Reunion the World Will Never See," 14 July 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of adolescence

see ¹adolescent

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

adolescence Synonyms

Synonyms

minority, nonage

Related Words

boyhood, girlhood, preadolescence, youth; bloom, flush, heyday, prime; majority, maturity; manhood, womanhood; babyhood, infancy

ADOLESCENCE Defined for Kids

adolescence

noun ad·o·les·cence \ ˌa-də-ˈle-sᵊns \

Definition of adolescence for Students

:the period of life between childhood and adulthood

Medical Dictionary

adolescence

noun ad·o·les·cence \ ˌad-ᵊl-ˈes-ᵊn(t)s \

medical Definition of adolescence

1 :the state or process of growing up

2 :the period of life from puberty to maturity terminating legally at the age of majority

Learn More about adolescence

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for adolescence Spanish Central: Translation of adolescence Nglish: Translation of adolescence for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of adolescence for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about adolescence

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adolescence

Definition of adolescence

Examples of adolescence in a Sentence

Recent Examples of adolescence from the Web

Origin and Etymology of adolescence

adolescence Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

ADOLESCENCE Defined for Kids

adolescence

Definition of adolescence for Students

Medical Dictionary

adolescence

medical Definition of adolescence

Learn More about adolescence

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adolescence

Definition of adolescence

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Examples of adolescence in a Sentence

Recent Examples of adolescence from the Web

Origin and Etymology of adolescence

adolescence Synonyms

Synonyms

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ADOLESCENCE Defined for Kids

adolescence

Definition of adolescence for Students

Medical Dictionary

adolescence

medical Definition of adolescence

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