adolescence
noun
ad·o·les·cence
ˌa-də-ˈle-sᵊn(t)s 
1
: the period of life when a child develops into an adult : the period from puberty to maturity terminating legally at the age of majority (see majority sense 2a)
He struggled through his adolescence.
2
: the state or process of growing up
3
: a stage of development (as of a language or culture) prior to maturity
Examples of adolescence in a Sentence
Their children are on the verge of adolescence.
He struggled through his adolescence.
Recent Examples on the Web
Also, not exactly groundbreaking is that adolescence has always been an awkward time, when communicating with adults can be challenging.
—
Melissa Willets, Parents, 17 July 2025
The human brain reaches full size and volume in early adolescence.
—The Marshall Project, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 July 2025
And a study published in The Lancet that examined the prevalence of adolescent depression among English youth suggested that increased sedentary behavior in adolescence could affect a person’s mental health into adulthood.
—Henry Abbott, The Atlantic, 12 July 2025
Hans is Lion King, The Dark Knight, all the incredibly iconic things from my childhood and adolescence.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for adolescence
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Melissa Willets, Parents, 17 July 2025
The human brain reaches full size and volume in early adolescence.
—The Marshall Project, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 July 2025
And a study published in The Lancet that examined the prevalence of adolescent depression among English youth suggested that increased sedentary behavior in adolescence could affect a person’s mental health into adulthood.
—Henry Abbott, The Atlantic, 12 July 2025
Hans is Lion King, The Dark Knight, all the incredibly iconic things from my childhood and adolescence.
—Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for adolescence
Cite this Entry
“Adolescence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adolescence. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
adolescence
noun
ad·o·les·cence
ˌad-ᵊl-ˈes-ᵊn(t)s
: the state or process of growing up
also
: the period of life from puberty to maturity
adolescent
adjective or noun
-ᵊnt
Etymology
Middle English adolescence "adolescence," from early French adolescence (same meaning), from Latin adolescentia (same meaning), from adolescere "to grow up" — related to adult
Medical Definition
adolescence
noun
ad·o·les·cence
ˌad-ᵊl-ˈes-ᵊn(t)s
1
: the state or process of growing up
2
: the period of life from puberty to maturity terminating legally at the age of majority
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