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 of adolescence

• youth
• infancy
• minority

Examples of adolescence in a Sentence

Their children are on the verge of adolescence.

He struggled through his adolescence.

Recent Examples on the Web

Harrison was raised by a Jewish mother and grandparents, but grew up in a Protestant household during adolescence in the Bible belt of Dallas, Texas. — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 11 Nov. 2026

PepGen is a latecomer to the fight to treat myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), a condition that typically robs patients of muscle control and strength beginning around adolescence. — Jason Mast, STAT, 10 Nov. 2026

And the girl who might have spent her adolescence caring for a blind relative instead has the chance to build a life of her own. — MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Nov. 2026

Risk depends on training volume, recovery and individual development, particularly during adolescence. — Adam Annaccone, The Conversation, 6 Nov. 2026

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