manhood

[man-hood]

noun

1. the state or time of being a man or adult male person; male maturity.

2. traditional manly qualities.

3. maleness, as distinguished from femaleness.

4. virility; potency.

5. male genitalia.

6. men collectively.

7. the state of being human.

manhood

/ ˈmænhʊd /

noun

1. the state or quality of being a man or being manly

2. men collectively

3. archaic,  the state of being human

4. informal,  a euphemism for a man's genitalia

Other Word Forms

• premanhood noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of manhood¹

Middle English word dating back to 1200–50; man, -hood

Example Sentences

Therein, we find Swift superstitiously "knocking on wood" that their relationship will last, and knocking wood in the bedroom, in an unexpected homage to her fiancé's "manhood".

From BBC

Jordan said he is talking about his journey because the way that prostate cancer and notions of manhood and masculinity are interwoven means men don’t like to talk about the disease — Black men especially.

From Los Angeles Times

The show’s last episode, “Sermon on the Mount,” mercilessly lampooned the president’s manhood and penchant for vengeance-driven lawsuits.

From Los Angeles Times

Rogan may not think he’s a clown like Johnson, but both built their careers by playing to male insecurities and the ever-elusive fantasy of “true” manhood.

From Salon

Instead, these men are trapped in their own heads, their tender, confessional musings about God, war and manhood so rudimentary that they never aspire to the heights of folksy poetry.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adulthood 
• boldness 
• bravery 
• courage 
• fortitude 
• masculinity www.thesaurus.com
• mettle 
• nobility 
• potency 
• virility