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

According to some reports, travelers have faced long lines and even missed connecting flights as airports deal with growing pains during the transition to biometric kiosks. — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026

Leverett and Bass have seen the most success, but the rest of the group is going through some growing pains at their new spots (even though each have previous career experience at their new spots). — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Aug. 2026

There is time to work through early growing pains for Dan Lanning’s Ducks, but by November, this needs to be locked down. — Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Even if one or more of these rockets makes its debut in 2027, none of the companies above have much experience with medium-lift growing pains. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 17 Aug. 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