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

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

From Science Daily • Jun. 14, 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

He notes that his grudge-holding is unbecoming of a man who’s pushing middle age before going on to attack his longtime producer Noah “40” Shebib.

From Salon • May 21, 2026

For some people, it’s a modest home, with a mortgage that’s paid off in early middle age, and a job that brings them satisfaction.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 19, 2026

Although Billy was in middle age, Grandfather considered him a boy.

From "The Red Pony" by John Steinbeck

Related Words

• midlife