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

That’s part of a maturation process for the 24-year-old Stevenson. —Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2024

The Road Ahead for Web3 Infrastructure M&A Looking toward 2025, the future of Web3 infrastructure M&A will hinge not only on regulatory developments and the maturation of Web3’s infrastructure landscape but also on the political climate, especially in the United States. —Tomer Niv, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

The whisky was aged in bourbon barrels for 42 years and then put into tawny port pipes for its final four years of maturation. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 28 Oct. 2024

The disobedience that led to Braun’s removal from that gym might’ve been a trait that needed maturation, but the underlying swagger and cockiness are essential to what his current coach, Michael Malone, wants from him. —Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 23 Oct. 2024

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