widowhood

noun

wid·​ow·​hood ˈwi-dō-ˌhu̇d 

-də-

1

: the fact or state of being a widow

2

: the period during which a woman remains a widow

3

: widowerhood

Examples of widowhood in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Worth has played Gail Platt for 50 years – during her time on the show, she was married five times and been featured in a catalogue of dramatic storylines including widowhood, the death of her husband, and her discovery that one husband Richard Hillman was a serial killer. —Caroline Frost, Deadline, 26 Dec. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

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