midlife crisis: Meaning and Definition of

mid'life cri'sis

Pronunciation: [key]
  1. a period of psychological stress occurring in middle age, thought to be triggered by a physical, occupational, or domestic event, as menopause, diminution of physical prowess, job loss, or departure of children from the home.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.