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

One week in, and the Bills may have some growing pains with this group, though Bishop seems well suited to the scheme and should have far better days. — Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

The Miami Dolphins' season-opening loss to the Las Vegas Raiders was a sobering reminder of the growing pains that come with a full organizational rebuild. — CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026

Yes, there will be growing pains early in the season, particularly when there are 57 new players and a contingent of new coaches join a program. — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

That’s just one of the growing pains for a program that did not play a varsity game until 2024. — Chip Saye, AJC.com, 14 Sep. 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
• alkanes
• attains
• biplanes
• bloodstains

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