maturation

noun

mat·​u·​ra·​tion ˌma-chə-ˈrā-shən 

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

b

: spermiogenesis

maturational

ˌma-chə-ˈrā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• development
• maturing
• growth
• flowering
• evolution
• ripening

Examples of maturation in a Sentence

the early stages of maturation

the maturation of his skills

Recent Examples on the Web

Angel’s Envy is a distillery that is known for its port cask-finished bourbon, and while the whiskey does not carry an age statement it’s matured for around five years before getting that secondary maturation for up to six months. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 2 Oct. 2025

Aged in rare Chinkapin oak barrels, this limited edition showcases Woodford Reserve’s experimental approach to grain, maturation and wood. —Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Oct. 2025

The comedic cross-country car film, which rescued the reputation of the envelope-pushing company after back-to-back duds National Lampoon's Movie Madness and National Lampoon's Class Reunion, represented a kind of maturation for the brand. —Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Sep. 2025

However, all familiar fig varieties are parthenocarpic, meaning that the female syconia develop into tasty fruit without the benefit of pollination so male syconia are not needed for their maturation and ripening. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 27 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for maturation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

maturation

noun

mat·​u·​ra·​tion ˌmach-ə-ˈrā-shən 

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 

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

b

: spermiogenesis sense 2

maturative

mə-ˈt(y)u̇r-ət-iv 

adjective