aging

or age·ing

[ ey-jing ]

noun

1. the process of becoming old or older:

   The aging of the population has had an effect on state revenues.

2. the process of bringing a product, material, etc., to maturity or a state fit for use:

   the proper aging of cheese in controlled conditions of temperature and humidity.

3. the process of making something seem older than it is:

   The leather tabletop is a recent replacement with deliberate aging and antiquing.

adjective

1. becoming old or older; showing signs of growing old:

   Many of us are caring for an aging parent in declining health.

2. giving the appearance of being old or older:

   They used aging makeup on some of the actors instead of recasting the roles.

Word History and Origins

Origin of aging¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; age ( def ) + -ing ¹( def ) for the noun; age ( def ) + -ing ²( def ) for the adjective

Example Sentences

If rapid “aging” proves popular with consumers, it could challenge the centuries-old process of barrel aging in oak casks.

From Ozy

Bespoken isn’t the first startup to venture in accelerated aging, a process that tries to minimize the time it takes to age these spirits, which is typically done in wooden barrels.

From TechCrunch

It delivers great anti-aging benefits and leaves my skin so glowy.

From Essence.com

The simplest way to tell if the wine is a good candidate for long aging is price.

From Fortune

Right now, they’re using the system to hunt down new drugs for cancer, aging, fibrosis, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, ALS, diabetes, and many others.

From Singularity Hub 

He plays an aging punk rocker and I play the drummer from his old band.

From The Daily Beast

The program—weirdly—is now under the umbrella of ABC News, and is suffering from flat ratings and an aging demographic.

From The Daily Beast

His big break came in 1992 when an aging cardinal plucked him from his outback and persuaded the Vatican to make him a bishop.

From The Daily Beast

Wielding a curved knife, a young man navigates past the aging structures and into the forest.

From The Daily Beast

Their legendary barrel aging program is unique, even among Scottish distilleries, for its range of natural color expressions.

From The Daily Beast

Then a flushed girl, a midget man, and an aging Nestor of other days drove away on a mission that pleased them all.

From Project Gutenberg

It would be slower with the aging demons—there was only one of Minnie—but it would be equally sure.

From Project Gutenberg

He looked down at the slight, aging woman, and stiffened slightly.

From Project Gutenberg

Hamilton listened intently while the aging, tired face of the President for a moment seemed lost in reflection.

From Project Gutenberg

This lively treatise established whatever intimacy existed between young Dennis and the aging Dryden.

From Project Gutenberg