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
Students who were in kindergarten when the pandemic began are now on the cusp of middle school—and adolescence.
—
Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 11 Mar. 2025
One 2019 study, which followed 165 subjects ages 13 to 30, found that strong friendships in adolescence predicted romantic-life satisfaction in adulthood; early romantic experience, meanwhile, wasn’t related to future satisfaction at all.
—Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2025
This developmental stage is crucial for transitioning from adolescence to adulthood.
—Scott White, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Some conditions, such as high blood pressure, are even showing up in childhood and adolescence.
—Laura Williamson/american Heart Association News, Boston Herald, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adolescence
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Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 11 Mar. 2025
One 2019 study, which followed 165 subjects ages 13 to 30, found that strong friendships in adolescence predicted romantic-life satisfaction in adulthood; early romantic experience, meanwhile, wasn’t related to future satisfaction at all.
—Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 10 Mar. 2025
This developmental stage is crucial for transitioning from adolescence to adulthood.
—Scott White, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Some conditions, such as high blood pressure, are even showing up in childhood and adolescence.
—Laura Williamson/american Heart Association News, Boston Herald, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adolescence
Cite this Entry
“Adolescence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adolescence. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.
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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