virility

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noun vi·ril·i·ty \ və-ˈri-lə-tē , British also vī- \

Definition of virility

:the quality or state of being virile:

a :manhood 3

b :manly vigor :masculinity

See virility defined for kids

Examples of virility in a Sentence

many cultures value virility as a sign of power

Recent Examples of virility from the Web

Fascism always polices gender and sexuality in its worship of male virility and patriarchy, often with lethal ends, as these activists knew.

— aaron carico, Teen Vogue, "5 Ways Fascism Has Existed in America Since the 1700s," 28 Aug. 2017
Maybe before long God will take away even the little bit of virility that’s left me.

— robert gottlieb, New York Times, "A Life of Toscanini, Maestro With Passion and Principles," 27 June 2017
A Biography by Mary V. Dearborn; Knopf, 627 pp.; non-fiction The first full-fledged biography in 15 years examines not only the writer’s life, but his reputations as a model of American virility and as an enduring literary figure.

— jocelyn mcclurg, USA TODAY, "Weekend picks for book lovers," 27 May 2017
Hair volume has replaced penis size as a virility marker. 2.

— bruce mccall, The New Yorker, "Washington, D.C., Job Fair," 20 May 2017
Whether intentionally or not, Taylor’s Julian perfectly captures the hubris, aesthetic swagger and wild-haired virility of the young Orson Welles.

— robert w. butler, kansascity.com, "Talented cast brings rousing performance of “42nd Street” to the Kauffman Center," 3 May 2017
But the film’s main drama concerns Barny’s relationship with the handsome, brave, vigorous, and intellectual priest of the title (played with virility and verbal aplomb by Jean-Paul Belmondo), who seduces women’s souls—and Barny’s above all.

— richard brody, The New Yorker, "Léon Morin, Priest," 29 Apr. 2017
Then again, another scholar confirms only 162, an unimpressive number for a man of his position and ostentatious virility.

— ben downing, WSJ, "In Bed With Il Duce," 24 Mar. 2017
Then, in a display of his virility, the 73-year-old character actor dropped to the floor and did one-armed push-ups.

— bruce fretts, New York Times, "Academy Awards 25 Years Ago: Not So Different From Today," 24 Feb. 2017

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

Did You Know?

Luckily, there's no doubt about what virility is, since it's depicted on the covers of dozens of new romance novels every month! A masterful and dominating manner, a splendid bared chest, a full head of lustrous hair, and an array of stunning costumes seem to be what's required. (Virile traits often missing in these men are hair on the chest and any hint of future baldness.) High-school football provides a showplace for demonstrations of adolescent virility, and for years afterward virile high-school players can keep using football language in their business life: "get to the red zone", "Hail Mary pass", "move the ball", and on and on.