parenthood

[pair-uhnt-hood, par-]

noun

1. the state, position, or relation of a parent.

Other Word Forms

• nonparenthood noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of parenthood¹

First recorded in 1855–60; parent + -hood

Example Sentences

Elsewhere, states may weigh factors like who underwent physical procedures, whether it is someone’s last chance at biological parenthood, and who paid.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Having kids doesn’t preclude workforce participation, and plenty of liberals are still putting a priority on parenthood.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But the first duty of parenthood is sacrifice for the child’s good, not to satisfy adult desire.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

As a father of eight from two marriages, he has long seen parenthood as the most humbling role of all.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

This isn’t only about younger adults delaying parenthood or choosing not to have children.

Read more on MarketWatch

When To Use

What does parenthood mean?

Parenthood is the state of being a parent.A person enters parenthood when they become a parent. 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.The terms motherhood and fatherhood are gender-specific versions of parenthood.The related noun parenting can mean the same thing as parenthood, but it more commonly refers to the process of raising children or the methods and techniques used to do so, as in I didn’t know anything about parenting before I entered parenthood.Example: People who have not experienced parenthood probably shouldn’t be so quick to criticize how other people parent their children.