middle age

American  

noun

1. the period of human life between youth and old age, sometimes considered as the years between 45 and 65 or thereabout.

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middle age British  

noun

1. the period of life between youth and old age, usually (in man) considered to occur approximately between the ages of 40 and 60

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Etymology

Origin of middle age

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

middle age

“We find that age indeed predicts success, and sharply, but in the opposite way that many propose. The highest success rates in entrepreneurship come from founders in middle age and beyond,” the researchers reported.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 1, 2026

For many Americans, middle age is becoming more challenging than it was for previous generations.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 14, 2026

When hearing loss in middle age drove him to rely on hearing aids, he credited the affliction with sharpening his awareness of the world around him—and enhancing his art.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2026

Finally, well into middle age, I stopped caring about getting married and focused on how good my life as a single woman was.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 22, 2026

To stay awake and alert, the captain, a Greek man of middle age, liked to take up provocative subjects.

From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers

Related Words

• midlife