adolescence

noun

ad·​o·​les·​cence ˌa-də-ˈle-sᵊn(t)s 

1

: the period of life when a child develops into an adult : the period from puberty to maturity terminating legally at the age of majority (see majority sense 2a)

He struggled through his adolescence.

2

: the state or process of growing up

3

: a stage of development (as of a language or culture) prior to maturity

Synonyms

• minority
• nonage

Examples of adolescence in a Sentence

Their children are on the verge of adolescence.

He struggled through his adolescence.

Recent Examples on the Web

The cult singer-songwriter and bandleader of the Soft Boys and the Egyptians chronicles a 12-month span of his early adolescence in the book, documenting his alienating move to a new school and subsequent obsessions with the Beatles, Brian Eno, Jimi Hendrix, and many more. —Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 24 Apr. 2024

Among them: love, heartbreak, and the angst of adolescence and adulthood. —Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 18 Apr. 2024

This immunosuppression persists into adolescence and beyond, fostering higher proportions of nervous, avoidant young adults. —Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2024

Heading into adolescence can be a pretty scary prospect. —Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024

This most commonly occurs when people become infected with EBV during adolescence or early adulthood. —Anju Goel, Verywell Health, 25 Mar. 2024

Growth hormone is responsible for cartilage and bone growth during adolescence. —Barbie Cervoni, Health, 2 Apr. 2024

The show aired over 200 episodes and a handful of specials during its nine-season run and was lauded for both its performances and compelling depiction of adolescence and family issues at the time. —Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024

Today, those who begin taking the drug in early adolescence, a recent study projected, can expect to survive to age 82.5—an essentially normal life span. —Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin adolēscentia, adulēscentia, noun derivative of adolēscent-, adolēscens adolescent entry 2

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

adolescence

noun

ad·​o·​les·​cence ˌad-ᵊl-ˈes-ᵊn(t)s 

: the state or process of growing up

also : the period of life from puberty to maturity

adolescent

-ᵊnt

adjective or noun

Etymology

Middle English adolescence "adolescence," from early French adolescence (same meaning), from Latin adolescentia (same meaning), from adolescere "to grow up" — related to adult

Medical Definition

adolescence

noun

ad·​o·​les·​cence ˌad-ᵊl-ˈes-ᵊn(t)s 

1

: the state or process of growing up

2

: the period of life from puberty to maturity terminating legally at the age of majority