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
Yakemchuk experienced some growing pains, which explained his paltry plus/minus (currently at minus-30 in the AHL).
—
Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
But for all of its growing pains, the WNBA is still the most visible women’s professional-sports league in America.
—Jemele Hill, The Atlantic, 24 Mar. 2026
Still, there are growing pains.
—Stephen Fowler, NPR, 23 Mar. 2026
Expect some growing pains, but also some big plays in between.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for growing pains
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Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
But for all of its growing pains, the WNBA is still the most visible women’s professional-sports league in America.
—Jemele Hill, The Atlantic, 24 Mar. 2026
Still, there are growing pains.
—Stephen Fowler, NPR, 23 Mar. 2026
Expect some growing pains, but also some big plays in between.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for growing pains
Cite this Entry
“Growing pains.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/growing%20pains. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical 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
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