ma ‧ tu ‧ ri ‧ ty AC /məˈtʃʊərəti, məˈtʃʊərɪti $ -ˈtʃʊr-/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[ Word Family: verb : ↑ mature ; noun : ↑ maturity ≠ ↑ immaturity ; adverb : ↑ maturely ≠ IMMATURELY ; adjective : ↑ mature ≠ ↑ immature ]
1 . the quality of behaving in a sensible way like an adult OPP immaturity :
Beth shows a maturity way beyond her 16 years.
One day you’ll have the maturity to understand.
2 . the time or state when someone or something is fully grown or developed
at maturity
The tree will reach only 5 feet at maturity.
reach/come to/grow to maturity
These insects reach full maturity after a few weeks.
the era when the Republic came to political maturity
sexual/emotional/physical maturity
He lacks the emotional maturity to appreciate poetry.
3 . the time when a financial arrangement such as a ↑ bond or an insurance ↑ policy becomes ready to be paid