aging
Americannoun
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the process of becoming old or older.
The aging of the population has had an effect on state revenues.
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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.
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the process of making something seem older than it is.
The leather tabletop is a recent replacement with deliberate aging and antiquing.
adjective
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becoming old or older; showing signs of growing old.
Many of us are caring for an aging parent in declining health.
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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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Hospital stays have gotten longer because of America’s aging population.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026
She’s still too young to know how impossible aging can be.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026
Their findings, published in Scientific Reports, suggest a possible new approach to addressing the cellular changes that make aging muscles increasingly difficult to repair.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 4, 2026
When “Wild Horse Nine” begins with an aging CIA man describing President Kennedy’s assassination as a “success,” you know you’ve entered the onyx-black seam that is Martin McDonagh’s sense of humor.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026
The neighborhood surrounding the Professor’s store was made up of inexpensive apartment houses, little family-owned shops, and small, aging homes.
From "The Egypt Game" by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
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