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
There was little controversy about how long a college athlete could remain a college athlete, since college is a transitional period from adolescence into adulthood.
—
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 18 Mar. 2026
All throughout his adolescence in Philadelphia, he got lost in the worlds of video games like Sonic Colors and Kingdom Hearts.
—Mano Sundaresan, Pitchfork, 18 Mar. 2026
Utilizing marijuana during pregnancy, adolescence and young adulthood can interfere with brain development.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026
Too many young people today are navigating adolescence without consistent, supportive relationships at a time when connection matters most.
—Emily Green, Boston Herald, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for adolescence
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Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 18 Mar. 2026
All throughout his adolescence in Philadelphia, he got lost in the worlds of video games like Sonic Colors and Kingdom Hearts.
—Mano Sundaresan, Pitchfork, 18 Mar. 2026
Utilizing marijuana during pregnancy, adolescence and young adulthood can interfere with brain development.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026
Too many young people today are navigating adolescence without consistent, supportive relationships at a time when connection matters most.
—Emily Green, Boston Herald, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for adolescence
Cite this Entry
“Adolescence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adolescence. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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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