Word
personhood
Phoneticsper·son·hood
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. the state of being a person, with all the rights and responsibilities that come with it. It is about having a unique identity and being treated as an individual.
n. the state or condition of being a person, including the legal and moral rights associated with that status. Often discussed in philosophical or legal contexts regarding the definition of individual identity.
Examples
“The court debated whether the AI had any personhood.”
“Philosophers have long argued about the point at which a fetus gains personhood and the rights that follow.”
“The legal battle centered on the definition of personhood, as the defense claimed the defendant's cognitive impairments rendered him incapable of holding the same legal status as a healthy adult.”
Examples
simple
“The court debated whether the AI had any personhood.”
contextual
“Philosophers have long argued about the point at which a fetus gains personhood and the rights that follow.”
complex
“The legal battle centered on the definition of personhood, as the defense claimed the defendant's cognitive impairments rendered him incapable of holding the same legal status as a healthy adult.”
Real-World Examples
“Consequently, in states that take fetal and embryo personhood seriously, surrogacy contracts and even IVF could become unavailable.” Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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