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. Also called: pubescence. the period at the beginning of adolescence when the sex glands become functional and the secondary sexual characteristics emerge

puberty

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.

Other Word Forms

• pubertal adjective
• postpuberty 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

He said the decision to put extra funding into the services came because he wanted Northern Ireland to be part of the UK-wide ban on puberty blockers.

From BBC

Until this week, Children’s was among the largest and oldest pediatric gender clinics in the United States — and one of few providing puberty blockers, hormones and surgical procedures for trans youth on public insurance.

From Los Angeles Times

It recommends that conception, birth and puberty is taught in Year 5 or Year 6 - but this will not be compulsory.

From BBC

It is also expected to recommend that conception, birth and puberty is taught in Year 5 or Year 6 - but this will not be compulsory.

From BBC

Last year, the court opted to rule first in a Tennessee case to decide if states may prohibit puberty blockers, hormones and other medical treatments for young teens who are diagnosed with gender dysphoria.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adolescence