First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1age
noun \ˈāj\
: the amount of time during which a person or animal has lived
: the amount of time during which a thing has existed
: the time of life when a person does something or becomes legally able to do something
Full Definition of AGE
1
a : the time of life at which some particular qualification, power, or capacity arises or rests <the voting age is 18>; specifically : majority b : one of the stages of life c : the length of an existence extending from the beginning to any given time <a boy 10 years of age> d : lifetime e : an advanced stage of life
2
: a period of time dominated by a central figure or prominent feature <the age of Pericles>: as a : a period in history or human progress <the age of reptiles> <the age of exploration> b : a cultural period marked by the prominence of a particular item <entering the atomic age> c : a division of geologic time that is usually shorter than an epoch
3
a : the period contemporary with a person's lifetime or with his or her active life b : a long time —usually used in plural <haven't seen him in ages> c : generation
4
: an individual's development measured in terms of the years requisite for like development of an average individual
See age defined for English-language learners
See age defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of AGE
Middle English, from Anglo-French aage, age, from Vulgar Latin *aetaticum, from Latin aetat-, aetas, from aevum lifetime — more at aye
Synonym Discussion of AGE
period, epoch, era, age mean a division of time. period may designate an extent of time of any length <periods of economic prosperity>. epoch applies to a period begun or set off by some significant or striking quality, change, or series of events <the steam engine marked a new epoch in industry>. era suggests a period of history marked by a new or distinct order of things <the era of global communications>. age is used frequently of a fairly definite period dominated by a prominent figure or feature <the age of Samuel Johnson>.
2age
verb
: to become old or older
: to cause (someone or something) to become old or to appear to be old
of food or drink : to be stored for a period of time in order to gain desired qualities
agedag·ing or age·ing
Full Definition of AGE
intransitive verb
1
: to become old : show the effects or the characteristics of increasing age
2
: to acquire a desirable quality (as mellowness or ripeness) by standing undisturbed for some time <letting cheese age>
transitive verb
1
: to cause to become old
2
: to bring to a state fit for use or to maturity
— ag·er \ˈā-jər\ noun
See age defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of AGE
14th century
AGEING Defined for Kids
1age
noun \ˈāj\
Definition of AGE for Kids
1
: the amount of time during which someone or something has lived or existed <The child was six years of age.>
2
: the time of life when a person receives some right or capacity <The voting age is 18.>
3
: the later part of life <His mind was active in age as in youth.>
4
: the condition of being old <The building is showing signs of age.>
5
: a period of time associated with a person or thing <the age of dinosaurs>
6
: a long period of time <It's been ages since we last saw you.>
2age
verb
aged \ˈājd\ag·ing or age·ing
Definition of AGE for Kids
1
: to become old or older <As he aged, he grew more forgetful.>
2
: to cause to become old or to appear to be old <Her troubles have aged her.>
3
: to remain or cause to remain undisturbed until fit for use : mature <The cheese must age.>
Learn More About AGE
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up age? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).