aging

American  

[ey-jing] / ˈeɪ dʒɪŋ /

Or ageing

noun

1. the process of becoming old or older.

   The aging of the population has had an effect on state revenues.

2. the process of bringing a product, material, etc., to maturity or a state fit for use.

   the proper aging of cheese in controlled conditions of temperature and humidity.

3. the process of making something seem older than it is.

   The leather tabletop is a recent replacement with deliberate aging and antiquing.

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adjective

1. becoming old or older; showing signs of growing old.

   Many of us are caring for an aging parent in declining health.

2. giving the appearance of being old or older.

   They used aging makeup on some of the actors instead of recasting the roles.

Etymology

Origin of aging

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; age ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun; age ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective

Explanation

Aging means growing older. You could say that your glamorous grandparents make aging look easy. The process of getting older, especially as people reach middle age and beyond, is called aging, and it's also an adjective that describes someone or something going through this process. Your aging French teacher might find it harder and harder to read her own writing on the chalkboard, and an aging motorcycle probably needs to be repaired more often. The verb age, or "grow older," is at the heart of aging, and its Latin root is aevum, "lifetime."

Example Sentences

“I think the developers need to find much more budget-friendly models,” said Julie Brown, an Ohio University associate professor of gerontology who teaches courses on the business of aging.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

The review points to "senolytic" therapies, which aim to remove aging glial cells, as a possible way to improve brain health and slow decline.

From Science Daily • Apr. 10, 2026

Still, he recognizes the correlations between himself, an aging gay artist with a complex legacy, and the far more disillusioned Julian.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

“They didn’t want to hear how much fun they were going to have, because they were opposed to the idea, as we all are, of aging and limitations.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

It was a foregone conclusion that Washington would be called out of retirement to head the force, but equally predictable that the aging general would delegate actual command to his former aide-de-camp.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis