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

In an aging society, young families represent a potential long-term asset as homeowners, taxpayers, employers, donors, volunteers—and parents.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026

They delivered the Menin gene directly into the hypothalamus of elderly mice that were about 20 months old, roughly equivalent to late-life aging in humans.

From Science Daily • May 24, 2026

The change also comes as Japan faces a declining birthrate and a rapidly aging population.

From BBC • May 23, 2026

It sounds dismal, but there’s a lot you can do to slow the aging process.

From Barron's • May 23, 2026

He wouldn’t have left the country twice, listening to my pleas of an aging mother and fantasies of beefsteak.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver