motherhood
Americannoun
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the state of being a mother; maternity.
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the qualities or spirit of a mother.
-
mothers collectively.
adjective
noun
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the state of being a mother
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the qualities characteristic of a mother
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Lauren Meadows, whose videos about motherhood have earned her 256,000 followers on TikTok, has posted several about medical debt she incurred from baby deliveries and hospital stays.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
Even in 2026, I think this painting depicts a lot of what Black women are going through today, whether it be in the workplace, navigating motherhood, navigating life.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 23, 2026
I want to see Elizabeth James laughing on the set of a photo shoot, with her daughter helping to style the campaign—where motherhood doesn’t end when work begins, and the beauty is the blur.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 5, 2026
In this light, posturing as sympathetic is an empty gesture, meant to encourage women into motherhood without actually helping them survive it intact.
From Salon ● Aug. 26, 2026
She would buy books about motherhood and find a wet nurse and decorate the bedroom.
From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
