prepubescent

adjective

pre·​pu·​bes·​cent ˌprē-pyü-ˈbe-sᵊnt 

: of, relating to, being in, or occurring in the period of development immediately preceding puberty

prepubescent children

prepubescent growth

prepubescent noun

Examples of prepubescent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to tradition, the urine must be collected from prepubescent boys, typically under the age of 10, to be effective. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026

Conversations reviewed by police include instances where Sumait sent or received images of naked prepubescent kids with other users. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 31 July 2026

Brown said this is typical, particularly with prepubescent boys, who can be embarrassed. — Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 15 July 2026

Sometimes, these first steps are small, such as learning to accept her aging body without forcing it to fit a patriarchal, and frankly prepubescent, beauty standard. — Literary Hub, 20 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

pre- + pubescent

First Known Use

1904, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for prepubescent

• acquiescent
• adolescent
• arborescent
• coalescent
• convalescent
• deliquescent
• effervescent
• evanescent
• incandescent
• iridescent
• luminescent
• obsolescent

Medical Definition

prepubescent

1 of 2 adjective

pre·​pu·​bes·​cent -ᵊnt 

: of, relating to, being in, or occurring in the period of development immediately preceding puberty

prepubescent children

prepubescent growth

prepubescent

2 of 2 noun

: a prepubescent child