widowhood

[wid-oh-hood]

noun

1. the state or a period of being a widow or, sometimes, a widower.

Word History and Origins

Origin of widowhood¹

before 900; Middle English wid ( e ) wehood, Old English widuwanhād, equivalent to widuwan, genitive singular of widuwe widow + -hād -hood

Example Sentences

“I have a gift for you, your gracious widowhood,” he announced to the Widow Ashton.

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The remarks drew attention for their deeply personal nature, given Massie’s long record of public service and the sensitive circumstances of his widowhood.

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After a few years of navigating widowhood, the women in my grief group encouraged me to get back “out there.”

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Although I found him attractive, we were not on each other’s radars until I was nearly a year into my widowhood.

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Queen Victoria came in for relentless criticism for hiding away in her widowhood for 40 years, dodging public engagements, not giving “value for money” by keeping the glittering royal show wrapped in mourning.

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