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
• growth
• maturing
• ripening

Examples of maturation in a Sentence

the early stages of maturation

the maturation of his skills

Recent Examples on the Web

The buzz all day seem optimistic, a sign of India’s maturation of a leading art market hub. —Anindo Sen, ARTnews.com, 7 Feb. 2025

Garrison Brothers is known for its bold Texas bourbon, releasing various expressions with outsized flavors that are the result of the distillery’s use of various barrel sizes for maturation and the particular climate in which the whiskey matures. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 6 Feb. 2025

The biggest reason the internet appears bored and uninterested with the Samsung Galaxy S25 range can be attributed to the maturation and plateauing of the smartphone market. —Callum Booth, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

And Matt’s maturation is the next step for him as a leader. —Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 19 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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