adolescence

noun

ad·​o·​les·​cence ˌa-də-ˈle-sᵊn(t)s 

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 sense 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

Synonyms

• minority
• nonage

Examples of adolescence in a Sentence

Their children are on the verge of adolescence.

He struggled through his adolescence.

Recent Examples on the Web

The researchers are now planning to follow these children into adolescence to see if the effects persist, potentially impacting obesity, blood pressure and type 2 diabetes risk. —Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025

Adapted by Mara Brock Akil and executive produced by Regina King, the show reimagines Judy Blume’s iconic 1975 novel through a contemporary lens, centering Black love, family, and the growing pains of adolescence in a pre–George Floyd America. —Okla Jones, Essence, 8 May 2025

Using her own teenage son and his friends as inspiration, Brock Akil wanted to show how race and class in today’s society impacted one’s adolescence. —Shannon Carlin, Time, 8 May 2025

The musical sought to examine the all-consuming struggles of adolescence. —Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 2 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin adolēscentia, adulēscentia, noun derivative of adolēscent-, adolēscens adolescent entry 2

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for adolescence

• acquiescence
• coalescence
• convalescence
• effervescence
• efflorescence
• evanescence
• incandescence
• inflorescence
• iridescence
• luminescence
• obsolescence
• opalescence

Kids Definition

adolescence

noun

ad·​o·​les·​cence ˌad-ᵊl-ˈes-ᵊn(t)s 

: the state or process of growing up

also : the period of life from puberty to maturity

adolescent

-ᵊnt

adjective or noun

Etymology

Middle English adolescence "adolescence," from early French adolescence (same meaning), from Latin adolescentia (same meaning), from adolescere "to grow up" — related to adult

Medical Definition

adolescence

noun

ad·​o·​les·​cence ˌad-ᵊl-ˈes-ᵊn(t)s 

1

: the state or process of growing up

2

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