masculinity

noun

mas·​cu·​lin·​i·​ty ˌma-skyə-ˈli-nə-tē How to pronounce masculinity (audio)
: 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
The man controlling his environment is today the prevailing American image of masculinity.Susan Faludi

Examples of masculinity in a Sentence

some men believe that wearing pink would undermine their masculinity
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Frustrated that his dad seems to have given up on her, and conditioned to believe that protecting your own at any cost is the only valid expression of masculinity, Spike loads a few arrows in his quiver and sneaks back to the mainland with his mom in tow. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 18 June 2025 This depth is not a departure from masculinity but a reintegration. Ximena Araya-Fischel, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025 In the wake of this gender reckoning, curious forms of masculinity have emerged online. Chuka Emezue, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2025 And there are plenty of areas where traditional ideals of masculinity, such as protection and providing, are appropriate and helpful, Singley said. Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 15 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for masculinity

Word History

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of masculinity was in 1613

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Cite this Entry

“Masculinity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/masculinity. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Medical Definition

masculinity

noun
mas·​cu·​lin·​i·​ty ˌmas-kyə-ˈlin-ət-ē How to pronounce masculinity (audio)
plural masculinities
: the quality, state, or degree of being masculine
measurement of masculinity or femininityPsychological Abstracts

More from Merriam-Webster on masculinity

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