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
While most songbirds are independent within weeks of leaving the nest, Royal Terns have a long adolescence.
—
Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Another working group will examine the vaccines given between childhood and adolescence, Kulldorff said.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 18 Sep. 2025
And while millennials like myself can remember The BSC as a cornerstone of our adolescence, the series has proved to be timeless again and again, ushering new generations into the world of Stoneybrook, Connecticut.
—De Elizabeth, Parents, 17 Sep. 2025
Her collection is a tableau of teenage girlhood through the lens of her adolescence in Lima, Peru.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for adolescence
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Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Another working group will examine the vaccines given between childhood and adolescence, Kulldorff said.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 18 Sep. 2025
And while millennials like myself can remember The BSC as a cornerstone of our adolescence, the series has proved to be timeless again and again, ushering new generations into the world of Stoneybrook, Connecticut.
—De Elizabeth, Parents, 17 Sep. 2025
Her collection is a tableau of teenage girlhood through the lens of her adolescence in Lima, Peru.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 15 Sep. 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 20 Sep. 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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