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the transitional period between puberty and adulthood in human development, extending mainly over the teen years and terminating legally when the age of majority is reached; youth.
the process or state of growing to maturity.
a period or stage of development, as of a society, preceding maturity.
Contemporary Examples

And that was the soul, very active in adolescence—like everything else.
Martin Amis Talks About Nazis, Novels, and Cute Babies Ronald K. Fried October 8, 2014

And Shipka is especially skilled at conveying the confusion, awkwardness, and anger of adolescence.
Lifetime’s ‘Flowers in the Attic’ Review: The Incest Is There, The Strange Magic Is Not Andrew Romano January 15, 2014

Early lying proficiency may also be linked with good social skills in adolescence.
The Week in Fact-Checking Adam Hanft October 31, 2008

It only takes one really painful moment in your adolescence to stay with you forever.
Josh Schwartz on Life After Gossip Girl Joel Keller March 22, 2009

The strains of adolescence have rarely been summed up so succinctly.
Three Cheers for Alice Munro’s Nobel Prize in Literature Malcolm Jones October 9, 2013

Historical Examples

In adolescence the processes of destruction are quick and sudden.
The Social Emergency Various

adolescence, the Gymnasium or Latin school, from twelve to eighteen.
History of Education Levi Seeley

They did, and he was converted at an early age before the tide of adolescence set in.
A Circuit Rider’s Wife Corra Harris

She felt she wanted to examine this record of her adolescence.
Too Old for Dolls Anthony Mario Ludovici

After adolescence I think there can be no doubt that masturbation is more common in women than in men.
Studies in the Psychology of Sex, Volume 1 (of 6) Havelock Ellis

noun
the period in human development that occurs between the beginning of puberty and adulthood
n.

“age following childhood” (especially the period from the 15th to the 21st year), early 15c., from Middle French adolescence (14c.), from Latin adolescentia “youth,” noun of state from adolescentem (see adolescent).

adolescence ad·o·les·cence (ād’l-ěs’əns)
n.
The period of physical and psychological development from the onset of puberty to complete growth and maturity.
adolescence
(ād’l-ěs’əns)
The period of physical and psychological development from puberty to the onset of adulthood.