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

Following the Second World War, the concept of adolescence as a unique life stage was bolstered by advertisers who saw profit potential in targeting a teen market. —Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 21 June 2024

Berg envisions a day when sequencing will help guide a patient’s care from infancy into adolescence and adulthood. —Mark Johnson, Washington Post, 17 June 2024

Initially known for breakout cringe comedy PEN15, Erskine left behind her portrayal of the charmingly crude adolescence of a seventh-grade girl for the dangerous worlds of espionage and Edo Japan. —Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 15 June 2024

The hockey-playing San Francisco resident has now entered adolescence, experiencing acne for the first time, getting braces, and overdramatizing her feelings. —EW.com, 13 June 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