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

Part of adolescence is finding fault with one’s parents—this is inevitable. —Russell Shaw, The Atlantic, 25 Oct. 2024

The talk show host also said having children changed her perspective on her own adolescence. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 17 Sep. 2024

During adolescence, the brain undergoes major changes in the way neurons, or nerve cells that send messages throughout the body, connect to other parts of the body. —Omer Awan, Forbes, 15 Sep. 2024

Crohn’s disease can develop at any time in your life, but adolescence is one of the times the disease is more commonly diagnosed.1 Health’s Crohn’s Disease Advocate Gaylyn Henderson, MPH, was diagnosed with Crohn’s as an adolescent. —Gaylyn Henderson, Mph, Health, 11 Oct. 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