Its easier to define what it's not than what it is. Masculinity is

  • Not being suave to acquire women, it's being a well-polished dildo.
  • Not being a protector that perishes for the tribe, it's being an expendable asset.
  • Not being a provider for the family, it's being an automatic teller machine.
  • Not competing, dominating or being the "Alpha" with every male you see, it's machismo.

These traits are not masculinity in and of themselves, they are perverted when in isolation. I contend rather they are byproducts of an esoteric ideal.

I think in essence it is being an inexorable force in the execution of one's principles. Principles of which vary between individuals. Life circumstances often misdirects, delays, or dilutes our aspirations. We cannot always stop ourselves from backpedaling or moving without proper orientation but ultimately it is up to us to hop back on what we know is the "correct" path. No matter how many times we stumble, we choose to embody that inexorable power, painful as it is. The means of execution are the byproducts (providing, protecting, competing, etc) in other words these actions have an end in mind, perhaps self actualization or something more conventional for every man is different.

TLDR; A man needs context as a tiger shark needs water.

What's your definition?