maturation

noun

mat·​u·​ra·​tion ˌma-chə-ˈrā-shən 

1

a

: the process of becoming mature (see mature entry 1 sense 1)

b

: the emergence of personal and behavioral characteristics through growth processes

c

: the final stages of differentiation (see differentiation sense 3b) of cells, tissues, or organs

2

a

: the entire process by which diploid gamete-producing cells are transformed into haploid gametes that includes both meiosis and physiological (see physiological sense 2) and structural changes

b

: spermiogenesis

maturational

ˌma-chə-ˈrā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms of maturation

• development
• maturing
• growth
• flowering
• evolution
• ripening

Examples of maturation in a Sentence

the early stages of maturation

the maturation of his skills

Recent Examples on the Web

The maturation protocol reflects a cask combination of American virgin oak, ex-bourbon, Spanish Oloroso, PX, and Portuguese red wine casks, designed to add layered, nuanced complexity to a whisky peated at 54 PPM. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026

Garfinkel said his team’s discovery constitutes a foundational step in the maturation of human thought, and that understanding how to do basic division would have been necessary for the later emergence of more complex mathematics. —Jasmin Sykes, CNN Money, 16 Jan. 2026

Tuesday signaled more maturation. —Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026

Brands latest portrait follows Washington from early life through his maturation as a general and leader, and situates the first president among his many allies and rivals. —Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for maturation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

maturation

noun

mat·​u·​ra·​tion ˌmach-ə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the process of becoming mature

2

: the process involving meiosis by which body cells having two sets of chromosomes form gametes with one set of chromosomes

Medical Definition

maturation

noun

mat·​u·​ra·​tion ˌmach-ə-ˈrā-shən 

1

a

: the process of becoming mature

b

: the emergence of personal and behavioral characteristics through growth processes

c

: the final stages of differentiation of cells, tissues, or organs

d

: the achievement of intellectual or emotional maturity

2

a

: the entire process by which diploid gamete-producing cells are transformed into haploid gametes that includes both meiosis and physiological and structural changes fitting the gamete for its future role

b

: spermiogenesis sense 2

maturative

mə-ˈt(y)u̇r-ət-iv 

adjective