sisterhood

play

noun sis·ter·hood \ ˈsi-stər-ˌhu̇d \

Definition of sisterhood

1 a :the state of being a sister

b :sisterly relationship

2 :a community or society of sisters; especially :a society of women in a religious order

3 :the solidarity of women based on shared conditions, experiences, or concerns

See sisterhood defined for English-language learners

See sisterhood defined for kids

Examples of sisterhood in a Sentence

The bonds of sisterhood have helped unite women to fight for social equality.

Recent Examples of sisterhood from the Web

Ah, sisterhood, that special bond that can never be broken by distance nor time.

— elizabeth logan, Teen Vogue, "Kylie Jenner Reveals She Shares Underwear with Kendall on Life With Kylie," 29 Aug. 2017
Ah, sisterhood, that special bond that can ne'er be broken by distance nor time.

— elizabeth logan, Glamour, "Kylie and Kendall Jenner, Millionaires, Apparently Share Underwear," 29 Aug. 2017
Get your history fix in one place: sign up for the weekly TIME History newsletter But, even in the face of fighting, sisterhood often prevails.

— Time, "Fame Runs in the Family With These Sisters From History," 4 Aug. 2017
Her imminent death, and then absence, adds urgency to Thandi’s need to think for herself about race, family, and suffering—and the limits of sisterhood and solidarity.

— amy weiss-meyer, The Atlantic, "What We Lose: A Striking Novel About Filial Grief," 1 Aug. 2017
Alexis Lundgren represents the new generation of The Flamingo Sisters, a sisterhood of female Parrotheads started by her mother.

— rebecca aydin, chicagotribune.com, "Parrotheads converge on Wrigley for Buffett love," 16 July 2017
Jasmine and I, both black, shared a secret that initiated us into a shameful sisterhood.

— robbie ann darby, SELF, "'To the Bone' and Other Eating Disorder Movies Need to Show More People Like Me," 14 July 2017
As the singer of a quartet with three male members, Haines also appreciates the sisterhood within BSS.

— claire lobenfeld, Billboard, "How Broken Social Scene Became Whole Again: 'The Friction Has Been Ironed Out'," 14 July 2017
The Good: A college’s newest residents are offered a structured opportunity to cultivate new friendships and select a lasting sisterhood.

— macy sirmans, Southern Living, "It’s All Greek to Me | Southern Living’s Roadmap to Sorority Recruitment," 11 July 2017

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

First Known Use of sisterhood

14th century

SISTERHOOD Defined for English Language Learners

sisterhood

play

noun

Definition of sisterhood for English Language Learners

: the close relationship among women based on shared experiences, concerns, etc.
: a community or society of women; especially : a community of nuns

SISTERHOOD Defined for Kids

sisterhood

play

noun sis·ter·hood \ ˈsi-stər-ˌhu̇d \

Definition of sisterhood for Students

1 :the state of being a sister

2 :women joined in a group

Learn More about sisterhood

See words that rhyme with sisterhood Spanish Central: Translation of sisterhood Nglish: Translation of sisterhood for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up sisterhood? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

sisterhood

Definition of sisterhood

Examples of sisterhood in a Sentence

Recent Examples of sisterhood from the Web

First Known Use of sisterhood

SISTERHOOD Defined for English Language Learners

sisterhood

Definition of sisterhood for English Language Learners

SISTERHOOD Defined for Kids

sisterhood

Definition of sisterhood for Students

Learn More about sisterhood

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

yeasty

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

Let's Talk 'Tea'

8 Words and Phrases from Boxing and Wrestling

The Ambiguity of Pushing 'Up' and 'Back'

Ask the Editors

Words of the Year: 1066

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Irregardless

Weird Plurals

Word Games

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Challenging Vocabulary Quiz Returns!

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066

sisterhood

Definition of sisterhood

People Are Reading

Examples of sisterhood in a Sentence

Recent Examples of sisterhood from the Web

First Known Use of sisterhood

SISTERHOOD Defined for English Language Learners

sisterhood

Definition of sisterhood for English Language Learners

SISTERHOOD Defined for Kids

sisterhood

Definition of sisterhood for Students

Learn More about sisterhood

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066