puberty
nounUK /ˈpjuː.bə.ti/
US /ˈpjuː.bɚ.t̬i/
The time when a child's body changes into an adult body.
During puberty, boys' voices get deeper and girls begin to grow taller.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. The stage of life when a person becomes able to reproduce.
Puberty usually begins between ages 8 and 14.
3. The biological process of physical changes leading to sexual maturity.
Doctors monitor puberty to make sure it happens at a healthy time.
4. In biology, the period when an organism first becomes capable of reproduction.
Some animals reach puberty much faster than humans.