fatherhood

American  

[fah-ther-hood] / ˈfɑ ðərˌhʊd /

noun

1. the state of being a father.

2. fathers collectively.

3. the qualities or spirit of a father.

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Usage

What does fatherhood mean? Fatherhood is the state of being a father.A person enters fatherhood when they become a father. This most commonly happens when their child is born, but it can also happen through adoption or by marrying or becoming a partner to someone with children.Fatherhood is a gender-specific version of the term parenthood.Less commonly, fatherhood can refer to all fathers collectively, as in You won’t find a better dad in all of fatherhood. Example: People who have not experienced fatherhood probably shouldn’t be so quick to criticize how dads parent their children.

Etymology

Origin of fatherhood

1350–1400; late Middle English faderhode; replacing Middle English faderheed. See father, -hood

Example Sentences

The album's central theme is the ecstasy and chaos of fatherhood, with Dijon addressing the title track to his firstborn, then imploring his wife to expand the family on the subtly-titled Another Baby!

From BBC

It was an ordeal that inspired a refreshingly honest core of his latest hour titled, simply, “Life,” which focused on struggles with conception, IVF and new fatherhood.

From Los Angeles Times

Series writer Taylor Sheridan was giving viewers exactly what they wanted: Thornton, wearing a cowboy hat and a seen-it-all look, going off on topics from fatherhood to fracking.

From The Wall Street Journal

My dear son, you have always had a good heart, and I imagine that fatherhood comes quite naturally to you.

From Literature

Evans last year confided about his aspirations toward fatherhood to “Access Hollywood,” saying he “absolutely” hoped to be a “superhero dad” like his “Red One” co-star Dwayne Johnson.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• parenthood