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

Brown is going through those growing pains, but says building the business is well-worth the sacrifice. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2026

A lot of that is normal, young-player growing pains for him. —Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026

Despite the potential for growing pains, the Celtics are adding an elite talent to a team that already looked like a potential championship contender without him. —Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 6 Mar. 2026

The roster is young and inexperienced — Sands is the only returning starter from last season — and the Tommies dealt with the predictable growing pains. —Dean Spiros, Twin Cities, 5 Mar. 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