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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Patriarchy Blues is a series of essays and poems on masculinity, and The Black Friend uses anecdotes as an accessible, anti-racist starter pack. Brea Baker, refinery29.com, 1 Feb. 2023 Archewell also funded a resource guide on positive masculinity for Equimundo, which has reached 3,673 people in 122 countries. Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 30 Jan. 2023 There does seem to be a commentary on masculinity as well. Marlow Stern, Rolling Stone, 12 Dec. 2022 Di Grasso patriarch Bert organizes a tour of the iconic movie's filming locations, an outing that ends with lunch—and a spirited debate on toxic masculinity—in the courtyard. Leena Kim, Town & Country, 21 Nov. 2022 Season 5 will likely take Sheridan’s moral relativism and pour it all over state politics like hot gravy—all while continuing to reinforce Sheridan’s somewhat unclear commentary on frontier masculinity. Josh St. Clair, Men's Health, 13 Nov. 2022 Their difference in opinion leads to a mid-film twist that attempts to mash together The Stepford Wives with movies like Strange Days, Get Out, and Serenity, plus some commentary on toxic masculinity. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2022 Today, society is challenging outdated views on masculinity. Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 4 Aug. 2022 Because of the overemphasis on masculinity within Latin culture, Bad Bunny says his defiance of gender norms as a Latin music artist has created a polarizing public reception. Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 25 May 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'masculinity.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of masculinity was in 1613

Dictionary Entries Near masculinity

Cite this Entry

“Masculinity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/masculinity. Accessed 29 Mar. 2023.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


Love It or Hate It

  • heart-fire
  • When asked about her blind date, Carol spoke for hours with vitriol.
Name That Thing

You know what it looks like… but what is it called?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY