often attributive
1
a
: the time of life when one is young
especially
: the period between childhood and maturity
b
: the early period of existence, growth, or development
2
a
: a young person
especially
: a young male between adolescence and maturity
b
: young persons or creatures
—usually plural in construction
3
: the quality or state of being youthful : youthfulness
Examples of youth in a Sentence
She had a troubled youth.
He spent his youth in the Midwest.
He got into a lot of trouble in his youth.
a generation trying to recapture lost youth
when the industry was still in its youth
Four youths are suspected of starting the fire.
Recent Examples on the Web
In exchange, grant recipients commit to teach for two years in one of California’s priority schools — campuses with high concentrations of students who are low-income, English learners and foster youth — after earning their credential.
—
Valentyna Banner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Her hair is now gray at the roots but artificial brown in the length, a bid for youth that signals her regret at growing old, or perhaps other people’s regret at her growing old.
—Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026
Defender Addison Staats, a youth national team call-up, guides the back line while also adding six goals and nine assists.
—Ishmael Johnson, Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026
Current admission fees for non-residents are $22 for adults, $18 for seniors and $10 for students and youth aged 12 to 18.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for youth
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.
Valentyna Banner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Her hair is now gray at the roots but artificial brown in the length, a bid for youth that signals her regret at growing old, or perhaps other people’s regret at her growing old.
—Literary Hub, 18 Mar. 2026
Defender Addison Staats, a youth national team call-up, guides the back line while also adding six goals and nine assists.
—Ishmael Johnson, Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026
Current admission fees for non-residents are $22 for adults, $18 for seniors and $10 for students and youth aged 12 to 18.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for youth
Cite this Entry
“Youth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/youth. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
