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

Magazines and newspapers have spent much of the past few years filling column inches with concerns about the manhood of young Americans. — T. M. Brown, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2026

In a rural lobster fishing village, Bucks Harbor explores manhood, community and survival in a harsh and beautiful world. — Matthew Carey, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026

Parker is perpetually just on the verge of manhood — youthful, optimistic, with a somewhat innocent boyish sense of romance. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2026

Adam Stanaland, a psychology professor at the University of Richmond, told me that what’s concerning is when insecure men feel pressured to validate their manhood by harming others. — Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 28 July 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