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age

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The definition of age is the number of years something has been alive or in existence.

(noun)

An example of age is being 16 years old.

Age is defined as a span of years during which some event occurred.

(noun)

The number of years that ice covered most of the world is an example of an ice age.

Age means to experience the passage of time or show signs of growing older.

(verb)

To allow wine to ferment and develop its flavor over a certain number of years is an example of the process used to age wine.
An example of age is a person who grows from 15 years old to 60 years old.

See age in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

the time that a person or a thing has existed since birth or beginning
usual or expected life span: the age of a medieval peasant was quite short
a stage of life: she is at the awkward age
the condition of being old; old age: wearied with age
a generation
1. any interval of geologic time; specif., a subdivision of an epoch corresponding to the rock strata of a stage ()
2. any prehistoric cultural period in human development: the Stone Age
3. a period characterized by some person or by some outstanding feature or influence: the Elizabethan Age, the Space Age
Informal a long time

Origin: ME < OFr aage < ML *aetaticum < L aetas, contr. < aevitas, akin to aevum, age, eternity < IE base *aiw- > aye

intransitive verb aged, aging or ageing

to grow old or show signs of growing old
to ripen or become mature

transitive verb

to make, or make seem, old or mature
to cause to ripen or become mature over a period of time under fixed conditions: to age cheese

act, condition, or result of: marriage, cleavage, usage
amount or number of: acreage
cost of: postage
place of: steerage
collection of: peerage, rootage
home of: hermitage

Origin: OFr < LL -aticum, belonging to, related to

See age in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

The length of time that one has existed; duration of life: 23 years of age.
The time of life when a person becomes qualified to assume certain civil and personal rights and responsibilities, usually at 18 or 21 years; legal age: under age; of age.
One of the stages of life: the age of adolescence; at an awkward age.
The state of being old; old age: hair white with age.
often Age
a. A period in the history of humankind marked by a distinctive characteristic or achievement: the Stone Age; the computer age.
b. A period in the history of the earth, usually shorter than an epoch: the Ice Age.
c. A period of time marked by the presence or influence of a dominant figure: the Elizabethan Age. See Synonyms at period.
a. The period of history during which a person lives: a product of his age.
b. A generation: ages yet unborn.
ages Informal An extended period of time: left ages ago.

verb aged aged, ag·ing, ag·es

verb, transitive

To cause to become old.
To cause to mature or ripen under controlled conditions: aging wine.
To change (the characteristics of a device) through use, especially to stabilize (an electronic device).

verb, intransitive

To become old.
To manifest traits associated with old age.
To develop a certain quality of ripeness; become mature: cheese aging at room temperature. See Synonyms at mature.

Phrasal Verb: age out Informal To reach an age, 18 or 21 years, for example, at which one is no longer eligible for certain special services, such as education or protection, from the state.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French aage

Origin: , from Vulgar Latin *aetāticum

Origin: , from Latin aetās, aetāt-, age; see aiw- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: