maturation

noun

mat·​u·​ra·​tion ˌma-chə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce maturation (audio)
1
a
: the process of becoming mature (see mature entry 1 sense 2)
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
maturational adjective

Examples of maturation in a Sentence

the early stages of maturation the maturation of his skills
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This is one of the oldest whiskeys in the series to date, following the summer 2023 release (four years old) and the summer 2024 release (five years old), and that additional year has really made this bourbon hit the sweet spot of maturation. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 26 June 2025 This is the same political culture that perforated Hogg’s own political maturation — one where the stringent structures of establishment politics’ demands of loyalty ring hollow and moral idealism is a necessity. Maximo Bratter, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 June 2025 But there were negligible to small associations with the other developmental outcomes including social-emotional, cognitive, language and physical maturation. Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 16 June 2025 One Life focuses on times of change and maturation. Grace Jordan-Weinstein, People.com, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for maturation

Word History

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of maturation was in 1541

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Maturation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maturation. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

maturation

noun
mat·​u·​ra·​tion ˌmach-ə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce maturation (audio)
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 How to pronounce maturation (audio)
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
maturative adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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