Entry 2 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913 Adolescent /(ăd`ō̇*lĕs"sent)/ · Ad·o·les·cent · IPA /ˌæd.əˈlɛs.ənt/ a. n. 01 a. Growing; advancing from childhood to maturity. 1. Growing; advancing from childhood to maturity. “Schools, unless discipline were doubly strong, Detain their adolescent charge too long.” — Cowper. 02 n. A youth. 1. A youth.