parenthood

American  

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

noun

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

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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

Hailee Steinfeld and Josh Allen have officially entered parenthood, welcoming their first little one.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026

Even so, the study highlights when fathers may be most vulnerable during early parenthood.

From Science Daily • Mar. 24, 2026

Single parenthood remains stigmatised in South Korea, leading most people to have children only within marriage.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

Increasingly that includes decisions about relationships and parenthood – and these choices are, in turn, shaping the future of a country in which both marriage and birth rates are falling.

From BBC • Jan. 9, 2026

“It’s funny—not long ago, parenthood wasn’t even on my mind. And these days, our goslings are all I can think about. As we speak, I can feel myself being pulled back to them, like gravity.”

From "The Wild Robot Protects" by Peter Brown