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

Progress came with some growing pains. —Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026

Any new disruptive technology comes with costs and benefits and growing pains, but AI seems uniquely unpopular for a new tool with so much promise. —Elizabeth Shackelford, Twin Cities, 7 May 2026

But there have been growing pains. —Sean Gregory, Time, 6 May 2026

The truth is that, although the Bills are optimistic about their chances of improving under Brady, a coaching change can also bring growing pains that had been ironed out over years of continuity with the previous staff. —Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 4 May 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