teething

American

[tee-thing] / ˈti ðɪŋ /

noun

Dentistry.

eruption of the deciduous teeth, especially the phenomena associated with their eruption.

Etymology

Origin of teething

First recorded in 1725–35; teethe + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Speaking on a podcast in September, Musk said that the vehicle “might have some initial teething pains because it’s such a radical redesign.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 21, 2025

The show's producer, Oliver Royds, told the BBC there are "always teething issues with shows of this magnitude" and the team "were slightly disappointed we didn't get it right from the very get-go".

From BBC • Nov. 13, 2025

There was a teething period the first couple of days as they reconvened, trying to get back on the same page that they’d left off eight years ago.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 11, 2025

There may have been some teething problems and tech issues at points - he was seen struggling with his guitar connection at times.

From BBC • May 25, 2025

I imagined her teething, crawling, crying, fussing, and just misbehaving herself.

From "Krik? Krak!" by Edwidge Danticat

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023