manhood

noun

man·​hood ˈman-ˌhu̇d 

1

: the condition of being a human being

2

: qualities associated with men : manliness

3

: the condition of being an adult male as distinguished from a child or female

4

: adult males : men

5

: penis

Synonyms of manhood

• masculinity

Examples of manhood in a Sentence

He took the comment as a challenge to his manhood.

He grew from boyhood to manhood in a small southern town.

the manhood of a nation

Recent Examples on the Web

Ending the slump did not come without some pain, though, after Raleigh took a foul tip near his manhood. —Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026

Diego Luna got his feet wet as a director with the promising 2011 debut, Abel, a slight but disarming tragicomedy that took imaginative shots at Mexican patriarchy and manhood. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026

Watkins, founder of the YBMen Project which provides young Black men with a safe place to discuss their mental health, manhood and social support, said studies show that 10% of Black adults experience moderate to severe depression, while 18% experience anxiety disorders. —ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026

Three refractions of broken American manhood in the modern age. —Andy Andersen, Vulture, 13 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing manhood

• prove one's manhood

Rhymes for manhood

• allgood
• basswood
• beechwood
• bellwood
• birchwood
• boxwood
• boyhood
• brushwood
• childhood
• cordwood
• dogwood
• driftwood

Kids Definition

manhood

noun

man·​hood ˈman-ˌhu̇d 

1

: courage, manliness

2

: the condition of being an adult male

3

: adult human males

the manhood of a nation