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

Image: Disney If nothing else, the change points to a maturation of Disney Plus, which started out with a relatively scant library that has steadily grown to the point that finding new episodes of Agatha All Along or Bob’s Burgers can actually be difficult. —Andrew Webster, The Verge, 30 Oct. 2024

The latest release, however, is a trio of whiskies that were finished in port barrels, another key element in the distillery’s maturation process. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 2 Oct. 2024

Independent bottlings of Texas whiskey have proven that this isn’t always the case, but careful measures must be taken to temper the effects that extreme temperature has on the maturation process. —Chris Perugini, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024

These hormones support egg maturation so that ovulation can take place. —Corey Whelan, Verywell Health, 18 Sep. 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