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Definition of personhood

personhood

/ˈpɝː.sən.hʊd/
per · son · hood
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personhood Lexical Profile

personhood Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The quality or condition of being an individual person, especially with regard to possessing moral status, legal rights, and self-awareness.

Example

"Philosophers and legal scholars have long debated the criteria that define moral and legal personhood."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for personhood

Word Nuance & Usage

Often used in legal, ethical, and philosophical contexts to distinguish between being a biological human and possessing the moral or legal status, rights, and responsibilities of a recognized person.

• Nearby Words

personalize
personally
personals
personhood
personification
personify
personnel

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the mid-19th century from 'person' (from Old French 'persone' and Latin 'persona', originally meaning an actor's mask or character) combined with the Old English state-forming suffix '-hood'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Personhood. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/personhood
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