parenthood
noun
par·ent·hood
ˈper-ənt-ˌhu̇d 
: the state of being a parent
specifically
: the position, function, or standing of a parent
Examples of parenthood in a Sentence
parenthood is a difficult task requiring great commitment
Recent Examples on the Web
Harp, who lived about twenty minutes down the road and ran a volunteer animal shelter in Austin, had planned carefully for parenthood, building a comfortable life with a lucrative job at a construction company after divorcing her husband more than a decade earlier.
—
Lauren Hilgers, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
On current trends, South Korea’s population will fall two-thirds in the next century, despite moderately successful efforts to boost births; those efforts are utterly swamped by structural factors discouraging parenthood, Works in Progress reported.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 29 Dec. 2025
But like most declarations made in early parenthood, my stance changed once my child reached toddlerhood and started asking to watch the show.
—Kara Nesvig, Parents, 25 Dec. 2025
While Dave enjoys being a father, parenthood hasn't come without a few hardships along the way for the comedian.
—Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for parenthood
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Lauren Hilgers, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
On current trends, South Korea’s population will fall two-thirds in the next century, despite moderately successful efforts to boost births; those efforts are utterly swamped by structural factors discouraging parenthood, Works in Progress reported.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 29 Dec. 2025
But like most declarations made in early parenthood, my stance changed once my child reached toddlerhood and started asking to watch the show.
—Kara Nesvig, Parents, 25 Dec. 2025
While Dave enjoys being a father, parenthood hasn't come without a few hardships along the way for the comedian.
—Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 23 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for parenthood
Cite this Entry
“Parenthood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parenthood. Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.
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