MACHOs

Machos is the plural of the noun macho in Spanish and Portuguese. In everyday usage, a macho is a male animal or a male human being. In zoological and veterinary contexts the term is used to designate the sex of an individual, such as a male horse, bull, or dog, and may appear in breed or breeding descriptions.

In human contexts, 'macho' can be used descriptively to refer to a man who embodies or aspires to traditional masculine traits, but it often carries a connotation of toughness, aggression, or dominance. The related concept machismo denotes a cultural pattern in which masculine authority and control are emphasized, with varying social implications across different regions and communities; scholars critique its impact on gender relations, violence, and equality.

The term also appears in popular culture as the title of media works in Spanish-speaking countries, including television series and films where male characters are central themes. In scientific and educational writing, the term is typically neutral when describing sex in animals, distinguishing between male (macho) and female (hembra) specimens.

See also: Machismo, gender studies, animal sexing, breeding.