masculinity
noun
mas·cu·lin·i·ty
ˌma-skyə-ˈli-nə-tē 
: the quality or nature of the male sex : the quality, state, or degree of being masculine or manly
challenging traditional notions about masculinity and femininity
… a style which alternates between a polished grace and blunt masculinity.—
Stuart Keate
Stuart KeateThe man controlling his environment is today the prevailing American image of masculinity.—Susan Faludi
Susan FaludiExamples of masculinity in a Sentence
some men believe that wearing pink would undermine their masculinity
Recent Examples on the Web
Her work challenges traditional codes of masculinity, using subtle draping and unexpected cuts to create a new language of style.
—Karissa Mitchell, Essence, 10 Sep. 2025
Peterson’s messages about masculinity have found an audience among young men seeking direction and prompted soul-searching among Christian podcasting pastors.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
There’s a debut book of poetry by Ricky Delaurentiis, (coming recommended by Ocean Vuong), a novel satirizing masculinity and higher education by Jordan Castro, and a second beguiling novel by Makenna Goodman, author of The Shame.
—Julia Hass, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2025
In a society that relies so heavily on categorizing people into a gender binary, targeting a young man’s masculinity can be a particularly painful and isolating experience.
—Ashleigh N. Deluca, Parents, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for masculinity
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Karissa Mitchell, Essence, 10 Sep. 2025
Peterson’s messages about masculinity have found an audience among young men seeking direction and prompted soul-searching among Christian podcasting pastors.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
There’s a debut book of poetry by Ricky Delaurentiis, (coming recommended by Ocean Vuong), a novel satirizing masculinity and higher education by Jordan Castro, and a second beguiling novel by Makenna Goodman, author of The Shame.
—Julia Hass, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2025
In a society that relies so heavily on categorizing people into a gender binary, targeting a young man’s masculinity can be a particularly painful and isolating experience.
—Ashleigh N. Deluca, Parents, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for masculinity
Cite this Entry
“Masculinity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/masculinity. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
masculinity
noun
mas·cu·lin·i·ty
ˌmas-kyə-ˈlin-ət-ē
plural masculinities
: the quality, state, or degree of being masculine
measurement of masculinity or femininity—Psychological Abstracts
Psychological AbstractsLove words? Need even more definitions?
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