adolescence
noun
ad·o·les·cence
ˌa-də-ˈle-sᵊn(t)s 
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
Set on the German island of Amrum in the North Sea in the final days of World War II, this is the story of Nanning (played by a wonderful young actor named Jasper Billerbeck), a boy on the cusp of adolescence, steeped in Hitler youth culture but gradually realizing he’s been backing the wrong side.
—
Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 23 May 2025
Arguing with a parent is not new territory in adolescence.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 22 May 2025
Apte watched the Miloš Forman classic in her adolescence, attending a screening held by the National Film Archive of India in her hometown of Pune.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 16 May 2025
But there is no immunity to impulsive decision-making, especially in adolescence.
—Yolanda Androzzo, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for adolescence
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Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 23 May 2025
Arguing with a parent is not new territory in adolescence.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 22 May 2025
Apte watched the Miloš Forman classic in her adolescence, attending a screening held by the National Film Archive of India in her hometown of Pune.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 16 May 2025
But there is no immunity to impulsive decision-making, especially in adolescence.
—Yolanda Androzzo, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for adolescence
Cite this Entry
“Adolescence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adolescence. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
adolescence
noun
ad·o·les·cence
ˌad-ᵊl-ˈes-ᵊn(t)s
: the state or process of growing up
also
: the period of life from puberty to maturity
adolescent
adjective or noun
-ᵊnt
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
1
: the state or process of growing up
2
: the period of life from puberty to maturity terminating legally at the age of majority
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