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

In late October, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued a second doctor for providing gender-affirming medical care to minors in the state, where Senate Bill 14 prohibits the prescribing of treatments like puberty blockers and hormones.

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

He said it often begins around late elementary to early middle school, dovetailing with the nascent stages of puberty.

From Slate

But Peralta emphasizes that many of these concerns—a desire to be seen as funny, popular, and in the know by your peers—are often normal of any child entering puberty.

From Slate

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

Related Words

• adolescence