widowhood

American  

[wid-oh-hood] / ˈwɪd oʊˌhʊd /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of widowhood

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

Example Sentences

Many life transitions—retirement, widowhood, divorce, empty nesting—come with an unexpected loss of social anchors.

From The Wall Street Journal

Albert died in 1861, and Victoria spent the next 40 years in widowhood.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From Literature

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

From Salon

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

From Los Angeles Times