womanhood

American  

[woom-uhn-hood] / ˈwʊm ənˌhʊd /

noun

1. the state of being a woman; womanly character or qualities.

2. women collectively.

   American womanhood.

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womanhood British  

/ ˈwʊmənˌhʊd /

noun

1. the state or quality of being a woman or being womanly

2. women collectively

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Etymology

Origin of womanhood

A Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; woman, -hood

Example Sentences

When “Frankenstein” was first published without Shelley’s name, and chatter about its author began to spread, an early commentary in the British Critic scorned the dissonance between Shelley’s womanhood and the novel’s monstrous narrative.

From Salon • Mar. 8, 2026

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.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 4, 2026

Luxurious bedsheets, a reflective Dame Tracey told Kuenssberg, is her "reward" for having lived through a much messier youth and young womanhood.

From BBC • Feb. 26, 2026

These highly autobiographical works draw on her Afro-Brazilian heritage, radiate with mysticism and focus on womanhood.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026

But of course he was right, and by the time I came to womanhood even I had to acknowledge that his prestige was much diminished.

From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya