adolescence

noun

ad·​o·​les·​cence ˌa-də-ˈle-sᵊn(t)s How to pronounce adolescence (audio)
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 Last Exit'' is a glorious symphony of the high and the low, of satirical shots at unions and sweet ruminations on the humiliations of adolescence (as evidenced by Lisa, who copes with a medieval mouth contraption), and, of course, all those ''D'oh!''s. EW.com, 18 Mar. 2024 Nixon, 32, of Southfield, faced relentless bullying over her weight and battled depression and anxiety during childhood and adolescence. Audrey Richardson and Aurora Sousanis, Detroit Free Press, 17 Mar. 2024 The appropriate time to begin could be when a kid is ready later in adolescence, when the family’s ready, or when the kid witnesses peers going through puberty, Forcier added. Kristen Rogers, CNN, 15 Mar. 2024 This comedy is an outrageous exploration of family dynamics, adulthood, and the absurdity of prolonged adolescence. Travis Bean, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Depression or Anxiety Most mental health disorders first appear in adolescence or early adulthood.19 Stressors in your 40s, however, may exacerbate underlying issues such as depression and anxiety. Madeleine Burry, Health, 28 Feb. 2024 Confined to the body of an older woman, Kimberly confronts the usual trials of adolescence. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 23 Feb. 2024 Researchers say those trends point to a new life stage, tucked between adolescence and full adulthood. USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2024 Having spent his adolescence in the Detroit area, Smith sought to bring his skills back to a place that felt like home. Detroit Free Press, 6 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'adolescence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin adolēscentia, adulēscentia, noun derivative of adolēscent-, adolēscens adolescent entry 2

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of adolescence was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near adolescence

Cite this Entry

“Adolescence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adolescence. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

adolescence

noun
ad·​o·​les·​cence ˌad-ᵊl-ˈes-ᵊn(t)s How to pronounce adolescence (audio)
: the state or process of growing up
also : the period of life from puberty to maturity
adolescent
-ᵊnt
adjective or noun
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 How to pronounce adolescence (audio)
1
: the state or process of growing up
2
: the period of life from puberty to maturity terminating legally at the age of majority

More from Merriam-Webster on adolescence

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