personhood

[ pur-suhn-hood ]

noun

1. the state or fact of being a person.
2. the state or fact of being an individual or having human characteristics and feelings:

   a harsh prison system that deprives prisoners of their personhood.

personhood

/ ˈp£ːsənˌhʊd /

noun

1. the condition of being a person who is an individual with inalienable rights, esp under the 14th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States

Word History and Origins

Origin of personhood¹

First recorded in 1955–60; person + -hood

Example Sentences

Harris’ personhood, body and life experience as a Black woman holds the specific weight of history, oppression, violence, and yes, struggle and triumph.

From Salon

As Salon has previously reported, the Republican Party’s 16-page “Make America Great Again” policy platform essentially paves the way for a national abortion ban suggesting to establish fetal personhood through the constitution’s 14th Amendment.

From Salon

The party's platform also endorses the concept of “fetal personhood,” which threatens access to all reproductive care, including IVF.

From Salon

As Reproductive Freedom for All pointed out in a campaign memo, "Project 2025 includes personhood language and policies that propagate the belief that life begins at conception."

From Salon

Trump is not interested in winning the election against Harris based on policy but instead on attacking her humanity and personhood.

From Salon