fatherhood

== English == === Etymology === From Middle English faderhode, fadirhode, fadirhede, equivalent to father +‎ -hood. === Pronunciation === (US) IPA(key): /ˈfɑ.ðɚˌhʊd/ (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈfɑːðəˌhʊd/ (Scotland, Northern Ireland) IPA(key): /ˈfaðəɹˌhʉd/ Rhymes: -ɑːðəhʊd === Noun === fatherhood (countable and uncountable, plural fatherhoods) The state of being a father (biological father, stepfather, adoptive father, foster father; sometimes the biological father specifically). Synonyms: (state) paternity (sometimes hyponymous); fatherness (rare); dadhood (informal; sometimes hyponymous) Hypernym: parenthood Hyponym: stepfatherhood Coordinate terms: motherhood; siblinghood, cousinhood ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== (the state of being a father or a father figure): abbacy, papacy