puberty

noun

pu·​ber·​ty ˈpyü-bər-tē How to pronounce puberty (audio)
1
: the condition of being or the period of becoming first capable of reproducing sexually that is brought on by the production of sex hormones and the maturing of the reproductive organs (such as the testes and ovaries), development of secondary sex characteristics (such as male facial hair growth and female breast development), and in humans and the higher primates by the first occurrence of menstruation in the female
2
: the age at which puberty occurs often construed legally as 14 in boys and 12 in girls

Examples of puberty in a Sentence

He reached puberty later than most of his classmates.
Recent Examples on the Web The motion also cited a ruling by a panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that rejected a preliminary injunction issued by a district judge against an Alabama ban on puberty blockers and hormone therapy for minors with gender dysphoria. Jim Saunders, Sun Sentinel, 19 June 2024 Recent actions, such as the U.K.’s National Health Service banning puberty blockers for treating transgender minors, underscore these concerns. Sara Stockton, New York Daily News, 18 June 2024 Sign up Early onset menstruation is part of a global phenomenon of early puberty affecting both boys and girls. Devika Rao, theweek, 10 June 2024 Indeed, puberty can actually start as early as 8 years old, beginning with breast development and followed by pubic and armpit hair, a growth spurt, and a period for most people who were assigned female at birth. Alison Fox, Parents, 4 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for puberty 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'puberty.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English puberte, from Latin pubertas, from puber pubescent

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of puberty was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near puberty

Cite this Entry

“Puberty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puberty. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

puberty

noun
pu·​ber·​ty pyü-bərt-ē How to pronounce puberty (audio)
1
: the condition of being or the period of becoming first capable of reproducing sexually that is brought on by the production of sex hormones and the maturing of the sex organs (as the testes and ovaries) and is marked by the development of secondary sex characteristics (as male facial hair growth and female breast development) and by the occurrence of the first menstruation in the female
2
: the age at which puberty occurs often defined legally as 14 in boys and 12 in girls

Medical Definition

puberty

noun
pu·​ber·​ty ˈpyü-bərt-ē How to pronounce puberty (audio)
plural puberties
1
: the condition of being or the period of becoming first capable of reproducing sexually marked by maturing of the genital organs, development of secondary sex characteristics, and in humans and the higher primates by the first occurrence of menstruation in the female
2
: the age at which puberty occurs being typically between 13 and 16 years in boys and 11 and 14 in girls and often construed legally as 14 in boys and 12 in girls

More from Merriam-Webster on puberty

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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