womanhood

noun

wom·​an·​hood ˈwu̇-mən-ˌhu̇d 

especially Southern ˈwō-

or ˈwə-

1

a

: the state of being a woman

b

: the distinguishing character or qualities of a woman or of womankind

2

: women, womankind

Synonyms of womanhood

• femininity
• feminity

Examples of womanhood in a Sentence

a young girl on the verge of womanhood

What is your view of womanhood?

The book is a celebration of womanhood.

Recent Examples on the Web

Laura Moriarty explores the stages of womanhood in a story set in Florida at the start of the Cold War. — Monitor Reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Aug. 2026

This set of interlocking monologues of Black womanhood speaks vividly and fully the the richness of Black women’s experience. — Anne E. Fernald, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026

The film reveals the inner beauty of the young women who compete in this celebration of womanhood. — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026

In my own research, threatening a man’s sense of manhood – but not a woman’s womanhood – reliably provokes aggression, and the men who react most strongly are those who feel the most pressure to live up to masculine ideals. — Adam Stanaland, The Conversation, 20 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for womanhood

• adulthood
• babyhood
• brotherhood
• cottonwood
• fatherhood
• firewood
• fuelwood
• hardihood
• ironwood
• leatherwood
• likelihood
• livelihood

Kids Definition

womanhood

noun

wom·​an·​hood ˈwu̇m-ən-ˌhu̇d 

1

: the state of being a woman

2

: qualities associated with women

3

: womankind