womanpower

[ woom-uhn-pou-er ]

noun

1. potential or actual power from the endeavors of women:

   the utilization of womanpower during a great national emergency.

2. the influence exerted by women as a group, especially in the workforce and in social and political activities.

Word History and Origins

Origin of womanpower¹

First recorded in 1940–45; woman + power

Example Sentences

“Government policy encouraged the expansion of married women’s employment, not because the government was dominated by liberals or feminists, but out of a desire to foster industrial expansion — as well as a cold war fear that the Russians would win educational and technological superiority if Americans did not use their ‘womanpower’ more effectively.”

From Washington Post

Williams, who ran for district attorney as a reformer last year, said solving the cold case was aided by his decision to change the office’s priorities: focusing on violent crime and “not wasting our precious womanpower and manpower going after every marijuana joint in the city, going after every simple possession of cocaine case.”

From Seattle Times

Although womanpower keeps me bound to Britney, a vast chasm still separates us.

From Salon

You need manpower, womanpower, whatever.

From New York Times

"Just learned that @DollyParton was a producer on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and my mind is blown. Just put Dolly in charge of the world already! #womanpower #Buffy #dollyparton," another hilariously tweeted.

From Fox News