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

My research focuses on how muscle develops from childhood to adolescence, with the goal of understanding how young people can get the most benefit out of exercise training programs, particularly strength training programs. —Discover Magazine, 15 Nov. 2024

When his adolescence caught up with him in the runup to the his 15th-place trough performance in the Kentucky Derby, trainer Pletcher smartly provided him with a layoff to re-assemble his mind, or more accurately, to let his mind catch up to the many signals his body — in growth — was sending him. —Guy Martin, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024

The presence of the babies becomes a new pathway into a deeper, more mature intimacy between the two women that nevertheless retains the fierce loyalty of adolescence. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2024

Cliques become more common and influential, however, during late childhood and adolescence. —Hannah L. Schacter, The Conversation, 7 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