DictionaryminorityUnder legal adulthood
noun

minority

The legal status of being below the age of adulthood.

The trust provides support during the child's minority.

Etymology

Minor names a person who is legally underage. Minority turns that description into the name for the condition or period before legal adulthood.

More examples

  • His minority prevented him from signing alone.
  • The court considered her legal minority.
  • The arrangement ended when minority ended.

Forms

minority

Similar words

childhood
A life stage that may not match legal age boundaries.
adolescence
A developmental stage rather than a legal status.