: the period of development immediately preceding puberty
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebAfter a few clicks, some played more overtly at prepubescence, posing in children’s clothing. Amanda Taub, New York Times, 3 June 2019 Poignant interactions with other kids, your frustration with curricular requirements, the developmental travails of prepubescence. Aaron Gilbreath, Longreads, 28 Oct. 2017 Though more than a century of prepubescence might sound bad, there’s a bright side for the sea creature. Nicholas St. Fleur, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2016
Word History
First Known Use
1908, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
prepubescence
noun
pre·pu·bes·cence -pyü-ˈbes-ᵊn(t)s
: the period of development immediately preceding puberty