# personhood

CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/personhood
Updated: 2026-05-28

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.