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

Playing boxer Jake LaMotta, Robert De Niro gave all of his mind and body to this portrait of a man destroyed by his anger, his jealousies, his pride, his retrograde notions of manhood. —Devan Coggan, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Mar. 2026

Despite being strapped financially, Ruben gets addicted to the expensive process of injections, falling for a number of venomous right-wing podcasts about claiming one’s manhood. —Tomris Laffly, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026

In her pursuit of answers, the Canadian multimedia artist and filmmaker sketches a reimagining of manhood that is neither binary nor an alibi. —Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026

Ponyboy wants to prove his manhood but also aspires to be a writer. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 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