widowhood - 1. The state or condition of a widow or widower, or (contextually) the time during which one is a widow or widower; the condition of a wife bereaved of her husband, or of a husband bereaved of his wife.

1539 Act 31 Hen. VIII c. 14 §1 Vowes of Chastitye or Wydowhood, by Man or Woman made to God advisedly ought to be observed. a1652 BROME Queenes Exch. I. ii, What have I done at home, since my Wife died? No Turtle ever kept a widowhood, More strict then I have done. 1768 BOSWELL Corsica iii. 222 Signor Clemente, being in a state of widowhood. 1866 MRS. H. WOOD St. Martin's Eve vii, During Mr. St. John's widowhood.
[OED2]