age of consent

American  

noun

1. the age at which a person becomes legally competent to consent to marriage or sexual intercourse.

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age of consent British  

noun

1. the age at which a person is considered legally competent to consent to sexual intercourse

2. the age at which a person can enter into a legally binding contract

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Etymology

Origin of age of consent

First recorded in 1800–10

Example Sentences

She told the BBC of one which seemed to encourage users to search for content featuring girls below the age of consent.

From BBC

He urges Sir Keir to "rather urgently" consider a smartphone ban in schools and a "digital age of consent", similar to Australia, which has passed a law banning children under 16 from using social media.

From BBC

But it’s a free country and Newsom is well past the age of consent, so clearly there’s no stopping him.

From Los Angeles Times

A second admitted he had been a member, but only because he had agreed with PIE that the disparity in the age of consent laws was unjust.

From BBC

Previously, the charity explained both teenagers were on holiday with their parents in the UAE from the UK, where the age of consent is 16.

From BBC