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.
The growing pains will never end; that’s just the nature of the sport. — Jerry Perez, The Drive, 11 June 2026 The Rangers are among several teams with high picks who must decide how to weigh Verhoeff’s freshman growing pains against his upside. — Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 15 June 2026 In fact, after enduring some early growing pains Watson has actually been quite good since the middle of May. — Mac Cerullo, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2026 Unable to deal with her growing feelings for Coley, Sonya (who also has a boyfriend) starts pushing Coley away, leaving the latter to navigate her growing pains alone. — Arushi Jacob, Variety, 19 June 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

Rhymes for growing pains

See All Rhymes for growing pains

Browse Nearby Words

growing consensus
growing pains
growing point
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Cite this Entry

“Growing pains.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/growing%20pains. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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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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