plural ages
1
a
: the amount of time during which a person or animal has lived
What is your age? [=how old are you?]
The age of the student was 20. = The student's age was 20.
Some people are reluctant to reveal their ages.
She died tragically at a young age.
Exercise is good for a man (of) your age.
The treatment depends on the sex and age of the patient.
He joined the company at the age of 35. [=when he was 35 years old]
She died at the ripe old age of 90.
You're too old to behave so foolishly. You should know better at your age. [=a person as old as you are should know better]
You should learn to act your age. [=to act in a way that is appropriate for a person of your age]
She showed remarkable musical talent at/from an early age. [=she showed talent when she was young]
The movie appeals to people of all ages.
The book is popular among men/women of a certain age. [=men/women who are not young anymore]
Her age is catching up to her. = She is starting to feel her age. [=she is starting to feel old]
He left home at the tender age of 18. [=when he was only 18 years old]
He learned to paint in his old age. [=when he was old]
Our son is small for his age. [=he's smaller than most children are at his age]
Their son needs to spend more time with children his own age.
a group of children ranging in age from 8 to 11
When you're my age [=when you're as old as I am] you'll realize that life isn't always fair.
She became involved with a man twice her age.
More people now live to extreme old age. [=live to be extremely old]
The program is for people over/under age 50.
groups of people classified by race and age
The student was 20 years of age. [=was 20 years old]
He joined the company at age 35.
—often used before another nounThe movie appeals to people of all age groups.
He was over the age limit. [=he was too old]
b
: the amount of time during which a thing has existed
What is the age of your car?
The car is in good condition for its age. [=considering how old it is]
The magazines were sorted by age.
2
: the time of life when a person does something or becomes legally able to do something
The voting age is 18. [=people are allowed to vote when they are 18 years old]
He was past the age for military service.
Her parents are approaching retirement age.
young people who have not yet reached drinking age
students of college age = college-age students
3
a
: the passage of time : the process of becoming old or older
a tree weakened by age
His skills haven't diminished with age.
a wine that has improved with age
"Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale her infinite variety."—
Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra (1607)
Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra (1607)
b
: the condition of being old
from youth to (old) age
The building is showing signs of age.
She died of old age.
4
: a period of history
—usually singular
an airplane that became a symbol of the modern age
a bygone/past age
the great problems of our age
It's hard to believe that such behavior is still tolerated in this day and age. [=in current times; now]
: a period of time that is associated with a particular thing or personPeople expect information instantly in this age of the Internet.
the age of Columbus
the machine age
the Age of Discovery
5
informal
: a long period of time
It's been an age since we last saw them.
—usually pluralIt's been ages since we last saw them. = We haven't seen them in/for ages. = It was ages ago when we last saw them.
ages; aged; aging or chiefly British ageing
1
: to become old or older
As he aged he grew more and more bitter.
You haven't aged a day since I saw you last!
an aging population
a book that has aged well [=a book that is still good or appealing although it is no longer new]
She has aged gracefully. [=she has continued to be healthy and young looking as she has gotten older]
2
: to cause (someone or something) to become old or to appear to be old
His troubles have aged him.
Exposure to the sun has aged her skin.
3
of food or drink
: to be stored for a period of time in order to gain desired qualities
The wine ages in oak barrels.
The wine is aged in oak barrels.
an aged cheese
ɪʤ
1
: action, process, or result of
coverage
breakage
wastage
2
: total amount or collection
mileage
acreage
3
: house or place of
orphanage
brokerage
4
: state, status, or condition of
bondage
blockage
5
: fee or charge
postage
Cite this Entry
“Age.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/age. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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