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

• adulthood
• adultness
• majority

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

Each person is unique, but all children deserve an opportunity to develop self-confidence, maturity, and a healthy sense of self-worth. —Marla Bautista, Parents, 20 Nov. 2023

Blue Weber agaves, on the other hand, take an average of seven years to reach maturity. —Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 11 Nov. 2023

Dairy cows are inseminated with the aim of creating a beef-dairy hybrid calf that will reach maturity quickly. —Laura Reiley, Washington Post, 10 Nov. 2023

Enter the maturity date, which is the day in which the issuer must pay investors the bond’s principal in full. —Chris Taylor, wsj.com, 7 Nov. 2023

Richards is heard explaining that fame impacted Jones more than the others and that no one else in the band had the time or maturity to help him out. —David Browne, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2023

Age and maturity, Martínez has said, have been benefits in trap shooting. —Victor Mather, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2023

While that age difference is relatively significant, the gap with her emotional and social maturity is even starker. —Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 3 Nov. 2023

The rye flour created a much wider diversity of bacteria than any other type of flour the team studied with over 30 types of bacteria at maturity. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 12 Oct. 2023

See More

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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