Womankind means all women collectively, or the female half of humanity. When someone refers to womankind, they're talking about women as a whole group throughout history and around the world, similar to how mankind traditionally referred to all people (though today most people prefer saying humankind when they mean everyone).

You might see the word in history books discussing how womankind gained the right to vote, or in stories celebrating the achievements of womankind in science, art, or exploration. A scientist might dedicate her discovery to the benefit of womankind, meaning she hopes it helps women everywhere.

The word emphasizes the shared experiences and collective identity of women across different cultures, time periods, and backgrounds. When Marie Curie became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, it was a milestone for womankind as well as a personal achievement, showing what women could achieve in fields previously closed to them.

Though less common in everyday conversation than simply saying “women,” womankind adds weight and scope to a statement, reminding us that we're talking about billions of people connected by their shared identity as female members of the human family.