maturity

noun

ma·​tu·​ri·​ty mə-ˈchu̇r-ə-tē How to pronounce maturity (audio)
-ˈchər-,
also
-ˈtu̇r- How to pronounce maturity (audio)
-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

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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'maturity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of maturity was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near maturity

Cite this Entry

“Maturity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maturity. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

maturity

noun
ma·​tu·​ri·​ty mə-ˈt(y)u̇r-ət-ē How to pronounce maturity (audio)
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- How to pronounce maturity (audio)
: termination of the period that a note or other obligation has to run : state or condition of having become due

More from Merriam-Webster on maturity

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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