maturation

[ mach-uh-rey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the process of becoming mature, ripe, fully aged or developed, etc.:

   Maturation of the wine takes place in high-quality oak barrels.

   Making and breaking relationships is part of a young person’s normal maturation.

2. Cell Biology.
   1. the end of the process by which cells or tissues change from relatively generalized to highly specialized:

      The maturation of pancreatic beta cells enables them to respond with specialized accuracy to glucose levels.

   2. the transformation of an immature egg or sperm cell into a gamete ready to unite with another to form a new organism, especially the part of the process that occurs after meiosis:

      In some species, if the animal is starving, egg cell maturation is blocked so that reproduction cannot take place.

3. Pathology. the stage at which a wound, boil, etc., produces pus; suppuration.

maturation

/ ˌmætjʊˈreɪʃən; ˌmætʃʊ- /

noun

1. the process of maturing or ripening
2. zoology the development of ova and spermatozoa from precursor cells in the ovary and testis, involving meiosis
3. a less common word for suppuration

Derived Forms

• ˌmatuˈrational, adjective

Other Words From

• mat·u·ra·tion·al adjective
• non·mat·u·ra·tion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of maturation¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English: “suppuration,” from Medieval Latin mātūrātiōn-, stem of mātūrātiō; equivalent to maturate + -ion

Example Sentences

“It would’ve stopped her from playing. She would have gotten a frustration level and to me, watching that now … I just am so proud of her maturation process and her mental toughness.”

From Los Angeles Times

The thing that is distinct over the last decade or so is the maturation of social media.

From Salon

"Without effective population-level interventions, the maturation of younger generations could lead to an overall increase in cancer burden in the future, halting or reversing decades of progress against cancer," the study authors warn.

From Salon

These effects are mediated by osteogenesis, the process of bone formation involving the differentiation and maturation of bone-forming cells called osteoblasts.

From Science Daily

“Our goal on Friday isn’t to affect the production line, but rather to send a message to the management that we have reached a certain level of maturation,” Mr. Lee said.

From New York Times

Related Words

• accomplishment
• achievement
• advance
• benefit
• boom
• fame
• gain
• happiness
• profit
• progress
• prosperity
• realization
• triumph
• victory
• win

More About Maturation

What does maturation mean?

Maturation is the process of reaching a stage of full or advanced development.

In other words, maturation is the process of maturating (or maturing) or of reaching maturity.

The word is often used to refer to the process of a person developing physically or starting to act more grown-up (more mature). It can also be applied to plants or other living things to refer to their development process, such as the ripening of a fruit.

Maturation can also be used in more specific and technical ways, including to refer to the formation of reproductive cells or to the production or discharge of pus, such as from a wound (which is more commonly called suppuration).

Example: It’s been a privilege to witness the maturation of these students over the last four years.

Where does maturation come from?

The first records of maturation come from around 1400. It derives from the Latin verb mātūrāre, meaning “to grow ripe” or “to bring to maturity.” In Middle English, maturation meant “suppuration” (the discharge of pus from a wound) and is still sometimes used in this way today.

Maturation is the noun form of the verb maturate. Maturate means about the same thing as mature, but it’s much more formal and much less commonly used—it’s almost always used in technical contexts. A person usually isn’t said to maturate—they mature. Maturation, however, is perhaps most commonly used to refer to the process of a person maturing. Its other uses are often scientific, especially within the field of biology.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms of maturation?

• mature (verb, adjective)
• maturate (verb)
• maturational (adjective)
• nonmaturation (noun)

What are some synonyms for maturation?

• maturing
• suppuration

What are some words that share a root or word element with maturation? 

• maturity

What are some words that often get used in discussing maturation?

• growth
• development
• responsibility
• adulthood
• fruit
• plant
• cell
• gamete
• pus

How is maturation used in real life?

Maturation is often used in a formal or technical way.

Without the development and maturation of Pippen and Grant, the Bulls never get past the Bad Boy Pistons. Take Horace Grant away from those Bulls and they don't win those first three titles. Of course Jordan was the driving force, but Pippen and Grant made them true contenders. pic.twitter.com/kPd8TkyxfW

— JamesSalomon9 (@JimSalomon9) May 28, 2020

The maturation of Deebo Samuel was fully evident in his zoom with Bay Area local media. It appears he is ready to step up into a leadership role in his second season with the #49ers.

— Jennifer Lee Chan (@jenniferleechan) May 13, 2020

And again, from the same essay..
Vague promises of a "better tomorrow" are insufficient. "You will do *what* better tomorrow?" Metamorphosis, maturation & transformation, is needed. pic.twitter.com/51GW5w2O92

— Nate ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ (@natebyr0n) May 28, 2020

 

 

Try using maturation!

True or False? 

Maturation always means the same thing as maturity.