widowhood

noun

wid·​ow·​hood ˈwi-dō-ˌhu̇d How to pronounce widowhood (audio)
-də-
1
: the fact or state of being a widow
2
: the period during which a woman remains a widow
3

Examples of widowhood in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Together, the men wrestle with profound changes brought on by widowhood, retirement, divorce, and other big transitions. Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2024 Kat begs him to stay and spare her widowhood, and given that their kid can’t have been dead more than a month, a better husband would probably listen. Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 28 July 2024 In 1968: Jacqueline Kennedy married multimillionaire Greek businessman Aristotle Onassis, ending nearly five years of widowhood following the assassination of her first husband, President John F. Kennedy. The Arizona Republic, 20 Oct. 2024 But here’s the kicker: the transition from dual-income households to single-income or widowhood often reveals shocking gaps in financial planning. Shelley Zalis, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for widowhood 

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of widowhood was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near widowhood

Cite this Entry

“Widowhood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/widowhood. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

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