middle age

noun

Synonyms of middle agenext
: the period of life from about 45 to about 64
middle-aged
ˌmi-dᵊl-ˈājd How to pronounce middle age (audio)
adjective
middle-ager
ˌmi-dᵊl-ˈā-jər How to pronounce middle age (audio)
noun

Examples of middle age in a Sentence

as our generation approaches middle age The patient was in late middle age. He feared the approach of middle age.
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.
Among adults, the condition usually happens in middle age, with an average diagnosis age of 42, Pierce said. — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 31 July 2026 So, why would Sabato want to keep taking punches in his middle age? — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026 Part of this has to do with how the opportunities for actresses in middle age and older have shifted on TV. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026 People who experienced persistent financial struggles were slower to process information and showed memory recall decline by middle age. — Julie Z. Weil, Washington Post, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for middle age

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of middle age was in the 14th century

Rhymes for middle age

See All Rhymes for middle age

Browse Nearby Words

middle
middle age
middle-aged
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Middle age.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/middle%20age. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

middle age

noun
: the period of life from about 45 to about 64
middle-aged
ˌmid-ᵊl-ˈājd
adjective

Medical Definition

middle age

noun
mid·​dle age ˌmid-ᵊl-ˈāj How to pronounce middle age (audio)
: the period of life from about 45 to about 64 years of age
middle-aged
ˌmid-ᵊl-ˈājd How to pronounce middle age (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on middle age

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for middle age

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about middle age

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