adulthood

American  

[uh-duhlt-hood] / əˈdʌlt hʊd /

noun

1. the state or period of being fully grown, fully developed, or of age.

   My mother raised four children to adulthood.

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Etymology

Origin of adulthood

adult ( def. ) + -hood ( def. )

Explanation

When you stop growing and start shaving, you are in adulthood — a point where you reach maturity. Unfortunately, physical adulthood does not necessarily imply that psychological adulthood is present. Adulthood implies a maturity of sorts, whether it be physical or psychological. In many cultures, adulthood is marked with a “coming of age” ritual. In Judaism for example, adulthood is marked by the Bat Mitzvah for girls (age 12) and the Bar Mitzvah for boys (age 13) — in which the girl or boy is considered to have reached adulthood within the community.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

adulthood

The findings come from the first phase of REACT, one of the largest efforts yet to examine how silent atherosclerosis develops throughout adulthood.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 1, 2026

With all of her adulthood realizations, Tomlinson also reflects on what she wishes she could tell her younger self.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 22, 2026

Eventually, adulthood is supposed to mean meeting the vegetable on its own terms — and, preferably, enjoying it.

From Salon ● Sep. 15, 2026

When the child reaches adulthood, they receive the full balance as an unrestricted lump sum.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 10, 2026

Samuel and Liza Hamilton got all of their children raised and well toward adulthood before the turn of the century.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

Related Words

• boldness
• bravery
• courage
• fortitude
• masculinity
• mettle
• nobility
• potency
• virility