Definition

1. Noun:

   • The process of growing older; the natural progression of life where an organism or object shows the effects of increasing time: This refers to the biological and physical changes that occur over time.
   • The process of maturing or improving over time, often by being left undisturbed: This meaning is often applied to substances like wine, cheese, or whiskey, where time enhances quality.

2. Adjective:

   • Becoming older; showing the effects of increasing age: Describes someone or something that is in the process of growing old.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The ageing of the population is a significant social challenge. (The process of the population becoming older is a significant social challenge.)
  • Fine wine benefits from careful ageing in oak barrels. (Fine wine improves from careful maturing in oak barrels.)

• Adjective:

  • The ageing actor decided to retire from the stage. (The actor who was growing older decided to retire from the stage.)
  • They are concerned about the ageing infrastructure in the city. (They are worried about the city's infrastructure, which is becoming old.)

Advanced Usage

• "Healthy ageing": The process of developing and maintaining functional ability that enables well-being in older age.
  • The public health campaign focuses on promoting healthy ageing.
• "Ageing in place": The ability to live in one's own home and community safely and independently as one ages.
  • Many seniors prefer ageing in place rather than moving to a care facility.

Variants and Related Words

• Aging: The primary alternative spelling, especially in American English. The meanings are identical.
  • The aging process is inevitable.
• Age (noun/verb): The length of time lived or existed (noun); to grow old (verb).
  • What is your age? (noun)
  • He seems to have aged overnight. (verb)
• Age-related (adjective): Associated with or caused by the process of ageing.
  • Age-related macular degeneration is a common eye condition.

Synonyms

• Noun (process of growing old): Senescence, growing old, maturation.
• Noun (maturing process): Maturing, ripening, mellowing.
• Adjective: Aging, elderly, senior, old.

Related Phrases

• Anti-ageing (often used as a compound adjective): Intended to prevent or slow down the effects of ageing.
  • The cosmetics industry sells many anti-ageing creams.
• Ageing population / aging population: A demographic trend where the median age of a population rises.
  • An ageing population requires adjustments in healthcare policy.

Idioms

• (To be) wise beyond one's years: To show a level of wisdom or maturity that is unusual for someone so young. This idiom contrasts with the physical process of ageing.
  • Even as a teenager, she was wise beyond her years.

Adjective

1. growing old

Noun

1. the organic process of growing older and showing the effects of increasing age
2. acquiring desirable qualities by being left undisturbed for some time