adolescence

noun

ad·​o·​les·​cence ˌa-də-ˈle-sᵊn(t)s How to pronounce adolescence (audio)
Synonyms of adolescencenext
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

Synonyms of adolescence

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Examples of adolescence in a Sentence

Their children are on the verge of adolescence. He struggled through his adolescence.
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.
By that definition, Chang’s childhood lasted through adolescence and deep into her adult years. — Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 Chester Dale, whose bequest forms the core of the NGA’s Cassatt holdings, favored the range of her female subjects, from girlhood and adolescence to adulthood and old age. — Carmen Rosenberg-Miller, Artforum, 6 Aug. 2026 These days, more kids are specializing in one sport at younger ages, as opposed to playing multiple sports into adolescence. — Holly Santman, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026 The event benefits Boys to Men Mentoring, which has been helping teenage boys navigate adolescence through mentoring for nearly 30 years. — Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for adolescence

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

Rhymes for adolescence

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Browse Nearby Words

adolesce
adolescence
adolescency
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Cite this Entry

“Adolescence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adolescence. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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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

Nglish: Translation of adolescence for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about adolescence

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