growing pains

plural noun

1
: pains in the legs of growing children having no demonstrable relation to growth
2
: the stresses and strains attending a new project or development

Examples of growing pains in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While that happens, Covert expects growing pains. Mark Dee may 19, Idaho Statesman, 19 May 2026 Yet, all of those can be viewed as growing pains toward maturity. Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 18 May 2026 Set in late 1990’s Kosova during the war, ‘Dua’ is a coming-of-age film that follows 13-year-old Dua, who has to deal with the ongoing reality of war and the growing pains of becoming a young woman. Roberto Prieto, Variety, 14 May 2026 But there’s a chance that the growing pains continue and no one emerges as The Guy, which, even this early, can cast some doubt on the rebuild’s ultimate ceiling. Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 12 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for growing pains

Word History

First Known Use

1810, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of growing pains was in 1810

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Cite this Entry

“Growing pains.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/growing%20pains. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

growing pains

plural noun
1
: pains in the legs of growing children having no proven relation to growth
2
: difficulties that accompany something new
a business going through growing pains

Medical Definition

growing pains

noun plural
grow·​ing pains ˈgrō-iŋ-ˌpānz How to pronounce growing pains (audio)
: pains occurring in the legs of growing children having no demonstrable relation to growth
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