teething

American  

[tee-thing] / ˈti ðɪŋ /

noun

Dentistry.

1. eruption of the deciduous teeth, especially the phenomena associated with their eruption.

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Etymology

Origin of teething

First recorded in 1725–35; teethe + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

It's extremely tempting to write a segue here about Wolf's career having had its own teething troubles – but, in truth, it's been more of a slow burn on a long fuse.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

The crew said their launch had been unexpectedly smooth despite some teething toilet issues – which got resolved after Koch, the crew's self-appointed "space plumber", dismantled parts of the toilet under instruction from mission control.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

“The first time we interviewed Christine on KCRW’s ‘Good Food,’ her daughter Maddie was on her lap, teething on a spatula,” said Jennifer Ferro, the president of KCRW.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2026

Speaking on a podcast in September, Musk said that the vehicle “might have some initial teething pains because it’s such a radical redesign.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 21, 2025

Little Zinoviya is teething, so her mama asked for a potion for that.

From Anya and the Nightingale by Sofiya Pasternack