# aging

/ˈeɪdʒɪŋ/ (US) · /ˈeɪdʒɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/aging
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. getting older

noun · CEFR B2

the natural process of growing older as a person, animal, or plant.

For teachers: the biological process of growing older, involving the accumulation of changes in a human, animal, or plant over time.

- Regular exercise and a healthy diet can help slow down the effects of aging.
- The research team is investigating how cellular aging contributes to the development of chronic diseases in the elderly population.

### 2. maturing of products

noun · CEFR B2

the process of letting food or drink, like cheese or wine, sit for a long time to improve its taste.

For teachers: the deliberate storage of food or beverages under controlled conditions to develop desired flavours or textures.

- The aging of this cheddar cheese takes at least twelve months to get the best flavour.
- The distillery prides itself on a traditional aging process, using charred oak barrels to impart a distinct smoky character to the whiskey.

### 3. making something look old

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the act of making something new look old, like furniture or clothes.

For teachers: the intentional treatment of a surface or object to give it the appearance of age or wear.

- The set designer used special paint for the aging of the new wooden chairs.
- The restoration expert applied a specific chemical wash to achieve the subtle aging required to match the new panels with the original seventeenth-century woodwork.

### 4. becoming elderly

adjective · CEFR B2

getting older or appearing to be old.

For teachers: approaching old age or showing signs of being old; often used to describe a population or a piece of machinery.

- The city needs more services to support its aging population.
- The company is struggling to maintain its aging infrastructure, which has become increasingly prone to technical failures and high maintenance costs.

## Examples

- Healthy eating can help slow down the effects of aging.
- Scientists are studying the biological markers of aging to understand why some people stay healthy longer than others.
- The rapid aging of the global population presents significant challenges for healthcare systems and pension funds that were designed for a much younger demographic.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.