Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

statehood

noun

/ˈsteɪthʊd/

Definition

The condition of being recognized as a state in a political context.

Examples

The territory was granted statehood after years of seeking independence.
In 1959, Hawaii achieved statehood, becoming the 50th state of the United States.
The discussion around statehood for Washington, D.C., has been ongoing for decades.

Meaning

Statehood refers to the status of being a self-governing entity or a recognized political unit, typically concerning a region that achieves the status of a state within a federation or when gaining independence.