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
There’s tenderness in the story’s example that masculinity and vulnerability are not mutually exclusive.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026
Their live performances in Sydney’s drag scene parodied hyper-masculinity and soon moved into artist-run spaces with installations and video works.
—Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 16 June 2026
Rob-Will seems imprisoned in a crucible of masculinity.
—William Earl, Variety, 12 June 2026
James Bond really serves as a symbol in the show, a symbol of aspiration, pinnacle of achievement in this industry and also of alpha masculinity and all this kind of stuff.
—Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for masculinity
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David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026
Their live performances in Sydney’s drag scene parodied hyper-masculinity and soon moved into artist-run spaces with installations and video works.
—Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 16 June 2026
Rob-Will seems imprisoned in a crucible of masculinity.
—William Earl, Variety, 12 June 2026
James Bond really serves as a symbol in the show, a symbol of aspiration, pinnacle of achievement in this industry and also of alpha masculinity and all this kind of stuff.
—Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for masculinity
Cite this Entry
“Masculinity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/masculinity. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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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