puberty

noun

pu·​ber·​ty ˈpyü-bər-tē 

1

: the condition of being or the period of becoming first capable of reproducing sexually that is brought on by the production of sex hormones and the maturing of the reproductive organs (such as the testes and ovaries), development of secondary sex characteristics (such as male facial hair growth and female breast development), and in humans and the higher primates by the first occurrence of menstruation in the female

2

: the age at which puberty occurs often construed legally as 14 in boys and 12 in girls

Examples of puberty in a Sentence

He reached puberty later than most of his classmates.

Recent Examples on the Web

International and national developments on transgender procedures for minors The British government this week indefinitely banned the prescription of puberty blockers for individuals under 18 who identify as transgender. —Kaelan Deese, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 12 Dec. 2024

The United Kingdom on Wednesday indefinitely banned new prescriptions of puberty blockers to treat minors for gender dysphoria. —Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 11 Dec. 2024

In October, a study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that the majority of transgender youths who received gender-affirming medical care such as puberty blockers or hormones are satisfied with their care. —Simmone Shah, TIME, 11 Dec. 2024

Under new gender policies announced Wednesday, players must either be assigned female at birth or have transitioned to female prior to undergoing male puberty to be eligible for LPGA tournaments or the eight U.S. Golf Association championships designated for female competitors. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English puberte, borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French puberté, borrowed from Latin pūbertāt-, pūbertās "age of physical maturity, physical signs of puberty," from pūber-, pūbēs "physically mature, adult" (derivative from the base of pūbēs, genitive pūbis "adult population, age of puberty, pubic region, pubic hair") + -tāt-, -tās -ty — more at pubes

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

puberty

noun

pu·​ber·​ty pyü-bərt-ē 

1

: the condition of being or the period of becoming first capable of reproducing sexually that is brought on by the production of sex hormones and the maturing of the sex organs (as the testes and ovaries) and is marked by the development of secondary sex characteristics (as male facial hair growth and female breast development) and by the occurrence of the first menstruation in the female

2

: the age at which puberty occurs often defined legally as 14 in boys and 12 in girls

Medical Definition

puberty

noun

pu·​ber·​ty ˈpyü-bərt-ē 

plural puberties

1

: the condition of being or the period of becoming first capable of reproducing sexually marked by maturing of the genital organs, development of secondary sex characteristics, and in humans and the higher primates by the first occurrence of menstruation in the female

2

: the age at which puberty occurs being typically between 13 and 16 years in boys and 11 and 14 in girls and often construed legally as 14 in boys and 12 in girls