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

The Oilers as an organization appear headed to an infusion of youth, and that means growing pains, costly mistakes and a likely dip in standings points in 2025-26. —Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025

The makeover is needed as MIA continues to grow,and feel growing pains. —Vinod Sreeharsha september 30, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025

Or are these turnovers just growing pains for a young offense led by a 23-year-old quarterback working the controls of a new system? —Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 25 Sep. 2025

Closer to home, fueled by the growth of the automotive industry, Detroit was on its way to becoming one of the nation’s most populated cities, which brought growing pains in the form of housing shortages and racial tensions. —Scott Talley, Freep.com, 25 Sep. 2025

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