# aging

Pronunciation: say "AY-jing" /ˈeɪ.d͡ʒɪŋ/

## Noun

1. The process of growing older and becoming more mature over time.
   - Simple: The natural change that happens to living things as they grow older over time.
   - _Aging brings both new wisdom and gradual physical change._
   - _Researchers study how aging affects memory and reaction time._
4. The deliberate process of making something, such as an antique, appear older than it actually is.
   - Simple: The work of making something look older than it really is, such as a new chair made to seem antique.
   - _Skilled forgers use careful aging to pass off new paintings as old masters._
   - _The set designer relied on aging to give the fresh props a weathered, historical look._
5. The buildup of damage to molecules, cells, tissues, and organs over time, causing a progressive loss of health, mobility, and body function that ends in biological death.
   - Simple: The slow breakdown of the body over many years that leads to weakness, illness, and death.
   - _Cellular aging contributes to the gradual decline in organ function._
   - _Researchers study how aging damages DNA and weakens the immune system._
6. Gradual wear and damage that builds up in something through use and the passage of time.
   - Simple: Damage or wearing down that happens to something from being used over time.
   - _The bridge showed clear signs of aging after decades of heavy traffic._
   - _Regular maintenance helps reduce the aging of factory equipment._

## Adjective

2. Growing older and approaching old age.
   - Simple: Growing old and getting close to old age.
   - _An aging population places new demands on the health care system._
   - _The aging actor took on fewer roles with each passing year._

## Verb

3. Present participle of age. — present participle and gerund of age
   - Simple: Present participle of age. Use this -ing form when talking about getting older right now.
   - _The wine is aging beautifully in oak barrels._
   - _She felt she was aging gracefully despite all the stress._

## Origin

Formed within English from "age" plus the suffix "-ing".

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/aging (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).