maturation
maturation Lexical Profile
maturation Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The biological, physical, or psychological process of growing, developing, and reaching full maturity.
"Brain imaging studies show that neurological maturation continues well into a person's twenties."
The controlled aging of food or beverages, such as cheese, wine, or whiskey, to develop their full flavor and character.
"The whiskey undergoes a twelve-year maturation in charred oak barrels before bottling."
In medicine, the formation and discharge of pus in an abscess or boil; suppuration.
"Warm compresses were applied to the infected tissue to hasten the maturation of the abscess."
Word Nuance & Usage
While 'maturity' refers to the state or condition of being fully developed, 'maturation' specifically denotes the ongoing biological, psychological, or chemical process of reaching that state.
• Rhymes for maturation
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late Middle English period from Middle French maturation or directly from Medieval Latin maturationem, a noun of action from Latin maturare ('to ripen, bring to maturity'), from maturus ('ripe, timely').