Puberty: meaning, definitions and examples

Commonly used in a biological or medical context to denote the period during which a child's body develops into an adult body capable of sexual reproduction.

• She experienced significant changes in her body during puberty.
• Puberty typically starts between ages 8 and 14.

Refers to the transitional phase of growth and development between childhood and adulthood, encompassing both physical and psychological changes.

• Adolescence is often a challenging time for both teenagers and their parents.
• Adolescence combines physical development with significant emotional and social changes.

Usually used in discussions involving stages of development or in educational and psychological contexts to refer to the phase focusing on the behavior and experiences of teenagers.

• The adolescent stage is critical for developing social skills.
• During the adolescent stage, many teenagers struggle with identity issues.

Typically used in scientific or health-related conversations to discuss the development of the body's sexual functions and characteristics.

• Sexual maturation involves the development of secondary sexual characteristics.
• Researchers study the factors influencing sexual maturation in different populations.