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

Children’s lungs are still developing, and lung function continues to mature throughout adolescence, making children more susceptible than adults to the adverse effects of air pollution.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

I relent that I’m both a lapsed fashion student and someone who spent their adolescence and early teens marveling at Jacobs’ designs and Coppola’s films.

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2026

Henry David Thoreau’s timing was one of his gifts: Living and writing during his nation’s adolescence, he was something of an adolescent himself.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

During adolescence, the body's internal clock naturally shifts later, meaning teenagers tend to feel alert later at night than adults do.

From Science Daily • Mar. 11, 2026

There would be love stories when she came into adolescence and when she wanted to feel a closeness to someone she could read a biography.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith

Related Words

• boyhood
• teens