: 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
Example Sentences
He reached puberty later than most of his classmates.
Recent Examples on the WebEarlier this year, his administration issued guidance that pushed back against federal guidelines by opposing gender reassignment surgery for children and adolescents and puberty blockers for anyone under 18. Mike Schneider, Sun Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2022 The plaintiffs said the puberty blockers and hormones are safe, effective, and necessary treatments for the small population of youth with gender dysphoria. Mike Cason | Mcason@al.com, al, 7 Sep. 2022 February order directed the Department of Family and Protective Services to open child abuse investigations if parents provide their transgender kids with gender-affirming care, such as hormone therapies and puberty blockers. Cayla Harris, San Antonio Express-News, 31 Aug. 2022 Another trial before the same judge in October will soon determine whether to permanently block the measure, which prohibits doctors from providing transgender minors with gender-affirming treatment like hormones and puberty blockers. Brigid Kennedy, The Week, 25 Aug. 2022 Pediatrics published his highly flawed 2020 study alleging that puberty blockers reduce suicide in teens. Leor Sapir, WSJ, 17 Aug. 2022 Earlier this month, Raichik and right-wing activist Christopher Rufo targeted a children’s hospital in Pittsburgh for its informational video about puberty blockers. Phil Mccausland, NBC News, 16 Aug. 2022 Among the most common medical treatments for adolescents are puberty blockers, which are reversible. Anne Branigin And Annie Gowen, Anchorage Daily News, 12 Aug. 2022 Some of those minors may receive puberty blockers, others only get hormones, and some get both.Wired, 20 July 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Middle English puberte, from Latin pubertas, from puber pubescent
VERB + PUBERTY | PREPOSITION | PHRASESVERB + PUBERTY➤enter, hit (informal) , reach到達青春期◇She hit puberty a year before any of her friends.她比自己的朋友早一年進入青春期。◇He reached puberty at the age of fourteen.他 14 歲時進入了青春期。➤approach接近青春期➤go through經歷青春期◇I was going through puberty.我正經歷青春期。PREPOSITION➤at puberty處於青春期◇Girls start menstruating at puberty.女孩子在青春期開始來月經。➤during puberty在青春期期間◇The body undergoes many changes during puberty.身體在青春期會發生許多變化。PHRASES➤the age of puberty青春期的年齡▸➤the onset of puberty青春期的開始