Godwin

American  

[god-win] / ˈgɒd wɪn /

noun

1. Also Godwine Earl of the West Saxons, died 1053, English statesman.

2. Gail, born 1937, U.S. novelist and short-story writer.

3. Mary Wollstonecraft 1759–97, English writer.

4. her husband William, 1756–1836, English political philosopher, novelist, and essayist.

5. a male given name: from an Old English word meaning “good friend.”

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Godwin British  

/ ˈɡɒdwɪn /

noun

1. died 1053, Earl of Wessex. He was chief adviser to Canute and Edward the Confessor. His son succeeded Edward to the throne as Harold II

2. Mary. See (Mary) Wollstonecraft

3. William. 1756–1836, British political philospher and novelist. In An Enquiry concerning Political Justice (1793), he rejected government and social institutions, including marriage. His views greatly influenced English romantic writers

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Example Sentences

"South Africa is a wicked country," said one of the returnees, 45-year-old Emilia Godwin, who has lived in South Africa for 11 years, cooking and selling Nigerian food.

From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026

But in the superb new production of the tragedy at the Shakespeare Theatre Company here, directed by Simon Godwin, they take on an almost mocking tone.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026

Novelist Gail Godwin, 88, has pointed readers toward a quote attributed to filmmaker Ingmar Bergman: “An artist should always have one work between himself and death.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

Norris' term as the West of England mayor came to an end in May 2025, when he was replaced by Helen Godwin.

From BBC • Feb. 2, 2026

Jerry decided to send her out with Charlotte Godwin, who seemed to be getting tired.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston