masculinity
noun
mas·cu·lin·i·ty
ˌma-skyə-ˈli-nə-tē 
: the quality or nature of the male sex : the quality, state, or degree of being masculine or manly
challenging traditional notions about masculinity and femininity
… a style which alternates between a polished grace and blunt masculinity.—
Stuart Keate
Stuart KeateThe man controlling his environment is today the prevailing American image of masculinity.—Susan Faludi
Susan FaludiExamples of masculinity in a Sentence
some men believe that wearing pink would undermine their masculinity
Recent Examples on the Web
Now, a broader cultural reset around masculinity is taking place and companies are racing to monetize it, FIT’s Horvath said.
—Luke Fountain, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
As much a gripping, twisting whodunnit as a heart-wrenching depiction of the aftermath of loss, grief and warped masculinity.
—Rebecca Hannigan, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
And although Hanan is one of the movie’s central figures, Dabis keeps a close eye on the Hammad men, whose masculinity has been shaped (and sometimes wounded) by their people’s inability to be free.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Williams also touched on commentary that the show is helping dismantle toxic masculinity, sharing his frustrations with some of the assumptions people can make.
—Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for masculinity
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Luke Fountain, CNBC, 10 Jan. 2026
As much a gripping, twisting whodunnit as a heart-wrenching depiction of the aftermath of loss, grief and warped masculinity.
—Rebecca Hannigan, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
And although Hanan is one of the movie’s central figures, Dabis keeps a close eye on the Hammad men, whose masculinity has been shaped (and sometimes wounded) by their people’s inability to be free.
—Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Williams also touched on commentary that the show is helping dismantle toxic masculinity, sharing his frustrations with some of the assumptions people can make.
—Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for masculinity
Cite this Entry
“Masculinity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/masculinity. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
masculinity
noun
mas·cu·lin·i·ty
ˌmas-kyə-ˈlin-ət-ē
plural masculinities
: the quality, state, or degree of being masculine
measurement of masculinity or femininity—Psychological Abstracts
Psychological AbstractsLove words? Need even more definitions?
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