parenthood

American  

[pair-uhnt-hood, par-] / ˈpɛər əntˌhʊd, ˈpær- /

noun

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

---

Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

• nonparenthood
  noun

Etymology

Origin of parenthood

First recorded in 1855–60; parent + -hood

Example Sentences

Housing is also key to making parenthood seem possible.

From Slate • Jul. 6, 2026

American parenthood is plagued with structural problems: A lack of affordable childcare, an increasingly rising standard for “good” parenting, and a cost of living that necessitates more than one income per family.

From Salon • Jun. 24, 2026

The “Toy Story” movies’ exploration of childhood, parenthood and the passage of time keeps generations of kids and adults watching.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 20, 2026

Luke is now aged two and his parents say he is a "lovely, lovely boy" and very "special" to them, but Conor said he initially struggled with parenthood.

From BBC • Jun. 14, 2026

The experience of parenthood filled him with enthusiasm and he recited the endless merits of his son and drew me out to tell him of my children.

From "Black Like Me" by John Howard Griffin