What does newswoman mean?
A newswoman is a female journalist who gathers, edits, or presents news for a newspaper, magazine, radio station, television program, or other news organization. Historically, the word was a straightforward way to identify a woman working in journalism, especially in headlines and broadcast introductions. It is now less common in everyday professional language because “journalist” and “reporter” describe the role without unnecessary gender marking. Nevertheless, “newswoman” remains useful when discussing the history of women in media or when a specific reference to a woman reporter is wanted. The word can still appear in biographical writing, archival material, and descriptions of earlier broadcasting eras. In modern institutional and professional contexts, however, the gender-neutral alternatives are generally preferred.
nounA woman employed as a journalist, especially one who reports news for a newspaper, magazine, radio station, or television broadcaster. The term is now somewhat dated in many contexts, where “journalist” or “reporter” is more common.
- A woman who reports news as her occupation, particularly for a broadcast or print news organization.
"The newswoman interviewed witnesses after the storm."
"The newswoman traveled to the flood zone to report on the aftermath."
"Many pioneering journalists were women, although they were often described using terms such as “newswoman” rather than “news reporter.”"
The standard plural is “newswomen.” Because “newswoman” is increasingly dated, plural forms of the neutral alternatives, such as “journalists” or “reporters,” are more common in current professional writing.
"Several newswomen covered the conference."
Once an everyday label for a female reporter, “newswoman” now carries a distinctly historical ring, reflecting the changing language of modern journalism.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of newswoman
“Newswoman” is an English compound formed from “news” and “woman,” combining the older English word “news” with the established English noun “woman.” The compound belongs to the 19th century, when the professional role of a journalist was increasingly being identified by specialized occupational labels. Its modern counterpart, “newsman,” follows the same pattern, while the shorter and more neutral “journalist” and “reporter” have largely displaced both gendered terms in current usage.
Related word forms
How newswoman is actually used
The term is formal and increasingly dated. In contemporary usage, “journalist,” “reporter,” or “news correspondent” is usually preferred when gender needs to be specified or emphasized.
Easily confused with newswoman
“Newsman” traditionally denotes a male journalist, while “newswoman” denotes a female journalist; both terms are now often replaced by the gender-neutral “reporter” or “journalist.”