maturation

noun

mat·​u·​ra·​tion ˌma-chə-ˈrā-shən 

1

a

: the process of becoming mature (see mature entry 1 sense 1)

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 of maturation

• 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

Then, 36 hours before the eggs are retrieved, the patient takes trigger medication such as Lupron, Ovidrel, Novarel or Pregnyl to initiate final egg maturation. — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026

The new whisky expands its maturation from three to five distinct cask types, including Fino sherry and Port pipes, subtly reshaping Glenfiddich's signature fruit-forward profile by adding dryness and complexity. — Emily Price, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

The most famous examples come with Coy Hill on the label, referring to particular warehouses at the distillery in Lynchburg that often yield super high-ABV barrels with very little whiskey left in them after close to a decade of maturation. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 9 Aug. 2026

That maturation has led to signs of a potential Year 2 leap as one of the Patriots’ top seven or eight offensive linemen. — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 6 Aug. 2026

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