: the numbers 13 to 19 inclusive
specifically : the years 13 to 19 in a lifetime or century

Examples of teens in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For children and teens, growth charts are used to measure normal growth in height and weight. Isabel Vasquez Rd Ldn, Health, 4 Feb. 2023 That’s where parental or caretaker guidance and influence can play an important role for children and teens. Tree Meinch, Discover Magazine, 2 Feb. 2023 In 2020, firearms killed more children and teens than car accidents for the first time, a Post analysis revealed. Andrea Salcedo, Washington Post, 29 Jan. 2023 However, in the U.S., there were 648 mass shootings in 2022 (defined here as an incident in which more than four people are shot, excluding the shooter), with more than 6,000 children and teens injured or killed in shootings. Kayti Burt, Rolling Stone, 28 Jan. 2023 See all Example Sentences for teens 

Word History

Etymology

-teen (as in thirteen)

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of teens was in 1596

Dictionary Entries Near teens

Cite this Entry

“Teens.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/teens. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

teens

plural noun
1
: the numbers 13 through 19
especially : the years 13 through 19 in a lifetime or century
2
: teenage persons : teenagers

More from Merriam-Webster on teens

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!