adolescence

[ ad-l-es-uh ns ]
/ ˌæd lˈɛs əns /

noun

the transitional period between puberty and adulthood in human development, extending mainly over the teen years and terminating legally when the age of majority is reached; youth.
the process or state of growing to maturity.
a period or stage of development, as of a society, preceding maturity.

Origin of adolescence

1400–50; late Middle English < Middle French < Latin adolēscentia. See adolescent, -ence

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH adolescence

adolescence adolescents (see synonym study at adolescent)

Words nearby adolescence

Example sentences from the Web for adolescence

British Dictionary definitions for adolescence

adolescence
/ (ˌædəˈlɛsəns) /

noun

the period in human development that occurs between the beginning of puberty and adulthood

Word Origin for adolescence

C15: via Old French from Latin adolēscentia, from adolēscere to grow up, from alēscere to grow, from alēre to feed, nourish

Medical definitions for adolescence

adolescence
[ ăd′l-ĕsəns ]

n.

The period of physical and psychological development from the onset of puberty to complete growth and maturity.

Scientific definitions for adolescence

adolescence
[ ăd′l-ĕsəns ]

The period of physical and psychological development from puberty to the onset of adulthood.