widowhood

noun

wid·​ow·​hood ˈwi-dō-ˌhu̇d 

-də-

1

: the fact or state of being a widow

2

: the period during which a woman remains a widow

3

: widowerhood

Examples of widowhood in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And a full 80%, or about 34 million senior households, would be unable to weather a major shock such as widowhood, serious illness, or the need for long-term care. —Rob Wile, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2025

In 1968: Jacqueline Kennedy married multi-millionaire Greek businessman Aristotle Onassis, ending nearly five years of widowhood following the assassination of her first husband, President John F. Kennedy. —Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 20 Oct. 2025

Some 80% of older adult households, about 34 million, don't have the financial resources to weather a shock such as sudden widowhood, serious illness or need for long-term care. —Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025

Born in Tangier to Spanish parents, María Ángeles lives out her widowhood with cheerful self-sufficiency. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for widowhood

• adulthood
• babyhood
• brotherhood
• cottonwood
• fatherhood
• firewood
• fuelwood
• hardihood
• ironwood
• leatherwood
• likelihood
• livelihood