puberty
n. uncountablen. the time in life when a child's body changes into an adult body. During this stage, you become physically able to have children.
n. the period during which adolescents reach sexual maturity and become capable of reproduction. Characterised by the development of secondary sexual characteristics and hormonal shifts.
Most children start puberty between the ages of eight and fourteen.
During puberty, teenagers often experience rapid growth spurts and changes in their voice and skin.
The biological onset of puberty is triggered by the hypothalamus, which signals the pituitary gland to release hormones that stimulate the gonads into activity.
From Middle English puberte, from Old French puberté, from Latin pūbertās (“the age of maturity, manhood”).
Typically used without an article when referring to the life stage in general.