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maturation

mach-uh-RAY-shun /ˌmætʃʊˈreɪʃən/

nounC1GRETOEFLIELTS

academicscientific

The process of reaching full development, maturity, or advanced stage of growth.

Emphasizes the internal biological and psychological unfolding of capabilities over time, independent of direct instruction.

The story behind the word. From Latin 'maturatio', derived from 'maturare' (to make ripe), which stems from 'maturus' meaning timely or ripe. It originally described crops reaching harvest readiness before being adopted by early medical scholars.

Word relationships

development: 'Development' includes social and external influences, whereas 'maturation' leans heavily on biological unfolding.
ripening: 'Ripening' is used more often for physical produce or metaphorical fruitfulness rather than human development.

immaturity: Immaturity represents an undeveloped state.

Commonly confused with

maturity: 'Maturity' is the state of being mature, while 'maturation' is the active process of becoming mature.

Word family

mature (adjective): Fully developed or grown.
maturely (adverb): In a mature manner.

Collocations

biological maturation
cognitive maturation
emotional maturation
maturation process

Example sentences

"Cortical maturation proceeds from the back of the brain to the front during late childhood." Neuroscience research
"Biological maturation sets the boundary conditions within which environmental learning takes place." Developmental psychology journal

Memory hook

Think of a 'mature nation' that has gone through a long process of maturation. Nature takes time for full maturation.

When not to use

Do not confuse with simple numerical aging; maturation implies structural and functional advancement.

Fun facts

In wine making and cheese crafting, maturation refers strictly to chemical aging that improves quality.