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

There were some understandable growing pains when Devers picked up first base upon joining the Giants after a career at third base. —Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026

After some growing pains, including a retooling, Nashville has started to hit its stride, recently hitting series highs in both total viewers and adults 18-49. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026

The charm and glow of Buckaroo outweigh the growing pains. —David Glickman, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026

There were growing pains — with multi-interception games against San Diego State, Duke and Virginia — but Sagapolutele displayed some exciting highs in victories against Minnesota, Louisville and SMU. —Antonio Morales, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026

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