puberty

[ pyoo-ber-tee ]

noun

1. the period or age at which a person is first capable of sexual reproduction of offspring: in common law, presumed to be 14 years in the male and 12 years in the female.

puberty

/ ˈpjuːbətɪ /

noun

1. the period at the beginning of adolescence when the sex glands become functional and the secondary sexual characteristics emerge Also calledpubescence hebetic

puberty

/ pyo̅o̅′bər-tē /

1. The stage in the development of humans and other primates marked by the development of secondary sex characteristics , including menarche in females. In humans, puberty occurs at the onset of adolescence, between the ages of about 11 and 14 in girls and 13 and 16 in boys.

Derived Forms

• ˈpubertal, adjective

Other Words From

• post·puber·ty adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of puberty¹

1350–1400; Middle English puberte < Latin pūbertās adulthood, equivalent to pūber- , stem of pūbēs grown-up + -tās -ty ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of puberty¹

C14: from Latin pūbertās maturity, from pūber adult

Example Sentences

And for “Inside Out 2” — also nominally a comedy — they were steeped in one of the most terrifying circumstances: puberty.

From Los Angeles Times

Gender-affirming care involves social transitioning, puberty blockers, hormone therapy, or surgical procedures.

From Salon

This treatment through social transitioning, puberty blockers, or hormone therapy can be lifesaving for children, and more than 30 medical associations have issued policy statements that support its use.

From Salon

The regulator also asked Mermaids to amend the information it had on its website about puberty blockers to also reflect the findings of the Cass Review, which it has.

From BBC

While her peers are still in the throes of puberty, she’s already gone through menopause.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adolescence