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
Examples of adolescence in a Sentence
Their children are on the verge of adolescence.
He struggled through his adolescence.
Recent Examples on the Web
My research focuses on how muscle develops from childhood to adolescence, with the goal of understanding how young people can get the most benefit out of exercise training programs, particularly strength training programs.
—
Discover Magazine, 15 Nov. 2024
When his adolescence caught up with him in the runup to the his 15th-place trough performance in the Kentucky Derby, trainer Pletcher smartly provided him with a layoff to re-assemble his mind, or more accurately, to let his mind catch up to the many signals his body — in growth — was sending him.
—Guy Martin, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
The presence of the babies becomes a new pathway into a deeper, more mature intimacy between the two women that nevertheless retains the fierce loyalty of adolescence.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2024
Cliques become more common and influential, however, during late childhood and adolescence.
—Hannah L. Schacter, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for adolescence 
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Discover Magazine, 15 Nov. 2024
When his adolescence caught up with him in the runup to the his 15th-place trough performance in the Kentucky Derby, trainer Pletcher smartly provided him with a layoff to re-assemble his mind, or more accurately, to let his mind catch up to the many signals his body — in growth — was sending him.
—Guy Martin, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
The presence of the babies becomes a new pathway into a deeper, more mature intimacy between the two women that nevertheless retains the fierce loyalty of adolescence.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2024
Cliques become more common and influential, however, during late childhood and adolescence.
—Hannah L. Schacter, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for adolescence
Dictionary Entries Near adolescence
Cite this Entry
“Adolescence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adolescence. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
adjective or noun
-ᵊnt
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
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