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

The characters’ propensity for ugly faces, silliness and a bit of grossness too, stems from the portrayals of girlhood and young womanhood that appeal to them. —Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026

Kin is about two childhood friends—both motherless daughters—on the road to womanhood and partly set in Georgia’s capital, in particular at Jones’s alma mater, Spelman College. —Riza Cruz, Vogue, 24 Feb. 2026

The emotional three-act collection balanced a deep understanding of womanhood with a modern, covetable approach to dressing. —Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 24 Feb. 2026

But just as the culture’s understanding of manhood has shifted, so too have ideas about womanhood—which of course influences the way young women see themselves. —Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 23 Feb. 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