adolescence

[ad-l-es-uhns]

noun

1. the transitional period between puberty and adulthood in human development, extending mainly over the teen years and terminating legally when the age of majority is reached; youth.

2. the process or state of growing to maturity.

3. a period or stage of development, as of a society, preceding maturity.

adolescence

/ ˌædəˈlɛsəns /

noun

1. the period in human development that occurs between the beginning of puberty and adulthood

adolescence

1. The period of physical and psychological development from puberty to the onset of adulthood.

Word History and Origins

Origin of adolescence¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin adolēscentia, from adolēscent-, stem of adolēscēns “growing up” ( adolescent ) + -ia -ia ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of adolescence¹

C15: via Old French from Latin adolēscentia, from adolēscere to grow up, from alēscere to grow, from alēre to feed, nourish

Example Sentences

Unsurprisingly adolescence starts around the onset of puberty, but this is the latest evidence suggesting it ends much later than we assumed.

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It was, he writes, “a childhood and adolescence not so much of abject poverty as of poverty of outlook, of ambition,” and the girl got out as soon as she could.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In Scipio’s adolescence, his father, uncle and cousin each served one-year consulships, the Roman Republic’s highest political office.

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Prevention is the key, as obesity rarely resolves after adolescence.

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"Limiting discretionary screen time in childhood and adolescence may protect long-term heart and metabolic health," said study lead author David Horner, M.D.,

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

• boyhood 
• teens