maturity

noun

ma·​tu·​ri·​ty mə-ˈchu̇r-ə-tē 

-ˈchər-

also

-ˈtu̇r- 

-ˈtyu̇r-

1

: the quality or state of being mature

especially : full development

the maturity of grain

maturity of judgment

lacks the wisdom and maturity needed to run the company

2

: termination of the period that an obligation (see obligation sense 2c) has to run

Synonyms of maturity

• adulthood

Examples of maturity in a Sentence

His behavior shows a lack of maturity.

He reached emotional maturity late in his life.

the maturity level of a child

The bond will reach maturity in 10 years.

Maturities on these bonds can be as long as 10 years.

Recent Examples on the Web

Afterward, Fanning continued to play girls forced to inhabit a maturity beyond their years, including in two films by Sofia Coppola, the auteur of precisely that theme. —Jennifer Wilson, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026

Onions start to swell the bulb portions in late March reaching maturity in May. —Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026

Treasury bonds make interest payments to investors every six months until maturity, and the payments from these bonds are exempt from state and local taxes. —Colin Dodds, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Apr. 2026

But most perennials bloom for only a few weeks and take several years to reach their full glory and maturity. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for maturity

• impurity
• obscurity
• security
• biosecurity
• cybersecurity
• immaturity
• insecurity
• prematurity
• purity
• surety

Kids Definition

maturity

noun

ma·​tu·​ri·​ty mə-ˈt(y)u̇r-ət-ē 

1

: the quality or state of being mature

especially : full development

2

: the date when a note becomes due

Medical Definition

maturity

noun

ma·​tu·​ri·​ty

mə-ˈt(y)u̇r-ət-ē also -ˈchu̇r-

plural maturities

: the quality or state of being mature

especially : full development

Legal Definition

maturity

noun

ma·​tu·​ri·​ty mə-ˈtu̇r-ə-tē, -ˈchu̇r- 

: termination of the period that a note or other obligation has to run : state or condition of having become due