adolescence

American  

[ad-l-es-uhns] / ˌæd lˈɛs əns /

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.

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adolescence British  

/ ˌædəˈlɛsəns /

noun

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

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adolescence Scientific  

/ ăd′l-ĕs′əns /

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

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Etymology

Origin of adolescence

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. )

Example Sentences

Biological sleep rhythms, known as circadian rhythms, naturally change during adolescence.

From Science Daily

Nearsightedness typically develops between ages 3 and 10, when the eyeballs are rapidly growing, though it can progress during adolescence and young adulthood.

From The Wall Street Journal

In these photos, we find artifacts of childhood mixed with the detritus of adolescence.

From The Wall Street Journal

The brain’s adolescence phase, they discovered, lasts until age 32, and then it enters a period of stability until early aging begins at 66.

From The Wall Street Journal

Now that we’re through the wind tunnel of adolescence, I’m happy to share them.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• boyhood
• teens