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
His adolescence was marked by loneliness and difficulty socializing with others.
—
Audrey Karnan, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2025
After spending his adolescence acting, Wolfhard, who plays one of the counselors, got used to reading scripts that overly rely on Gen Z slang and outdated references to appear hip to young people.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025
In retrospect, Bing’s adolescence was a blessing in disguise.
—Jake Kring-Schreifels, Rolling Stone, 1 Apr. 2025
Born in Uruguay, Ramos spent his adolescence in Kearny, N.J., an American soccer holy site if there ever was one.
—Pablo Maurer, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adolescence
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Audrey Karnan, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2025
After spending his adolescence acting, Wolfhard, who plays one of the counselors, got used to reading scripts that overly rely on Gen Z slang and outdated references to appear hip to young people.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025
In retrospect, Bing’s adolescence was a blessing in disguise.
—Jake Kring-Schreifels, Rolling Stone, 1 Apr. 2025
Born in Uruguay, Ramos spent his adolescence in Kearny, N.J., an American soccer holy site if there ever was one.
—Pablo Maurer, New York Times, 26 Mar. 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 Apr. 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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