motherhood

American  

[muhth-er-hood] / ˈmʌð ərˌhʊd /

noun

1. the state of being a mother; maternity.

2. the qualities or spirit of a mother.

3. mothers collectively.

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adjective

1. having or relating to an inherent worthiness, justness, or goodness that is obvious or unarguable.

   legislation pushed through on a motherhood basis.

motherhood British  

/ ˈmʌðəˌhʊd /

noun

1. the state of being a mother

2. the qualities characteristic of a mother

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Usage

What does motherhood mean? Motherhood is the state of being a mother.A person enters motherhood when they become a mother. 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.Motherhood is a gender-specific version of the term parenthood.Less commonly, motherhood can refer to all mothers collectively, as in You won’t find a better mom in all of motherhood. Example: People who have not experienced motherhood probably shouldn’t be so quick to criticize how moms parent their children.

Etymology

Origin of motherhood

First recorded in 1375–1425; from the late Middle English word moderhed. See mother ¹, -hood

Example Sentences

A woman rebelling from a marriage or striking out from the role of motherhood or otherwise trying to find meaning.

From Los Angeles Times

Is it a case of paranoia thanks to new motherhood?

From Los Angeles Times

Hague has been open with her fans about her struggles with pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood, describing having her first child as challenging at times.

From BBC

Somewhere between a yearning for motherhood and a woman’s understandable hesitation about it is where the bulk of O’Hara’s onscreen interpretations lived — confidently, outlandishly, and except for Kate, clad in eccentricity.

From Salon

In a new documentary which charts her journey into motherhood, the singer says social media was the "downfall" of her mental health.

From BBC

Related Words

• parenthood