nonbinary

adjective

non·​bi·​na·​ry ˌnän-ˈbī-nə-rē How to pronounce nonbinary (audio)
-ˌner-ē,
-ˌne-rē
: not binary: such as
a
: not restricted to two things or parts
nonbinary voting
b
: of, relating to, or being a system of numbers that does not use 2 as its base
nonbinary math
c
or non-binary : relating to or being a person who identifies with or expresses a gender identity that is neither entirely male nor entirely female
non-binary people
… an effort to create more equality for nonbinary and transgender students across campus.Phoebe Roe
… many people with nonbinary genders use "they" and "their" pronouns …Lucy Brisbane
… the normalization of sharing pronouns emphasizes the fact that everyone has preferred pronouns, not just trans and non-binary folks.Christina M. Xiao

Examples of nonbinary in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Concepts of drag comedy and nonbinary people held a different sort of weight, and the cross-dressing escapades in the movie, as two hapless male musicians flee the mob by donning dresses and joining an all-women band, didn’t hold the same sort of comedic sway. Chad Jones, The Mercury News, 11 Jan. 2025 James Rose, a nonbinary content creator who uses they and she pronouns, posted a video in December about changing the gender on their license from male to female. Romy Ellenbogen, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2025 Kearney, who made history as SNL’s first nonbinary cast member, joined the show as a featured player in 2022. Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 7 Jan. 2025 The 2023 Macy's Day Parade faced controversy as the group called for a boycott over the event including two nonbinary performers. Monica Sager, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for nonbinary 

Word History

First Known Use

1863, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nonbinary was in 1863

Dictionary Entries Near nonbinary

Cite this Entry

“Nonbinary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonbinary. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.

Medical Definition

nonbinary

adjective
non·​bi·​na·​ry -ˈbī-nə-rē How to pronounce nonbinary (audio)
-ˌner-ē
variants or non-binary
: relating to or being a person who identifies with or expresses a gender identity that is neither entirely male nor entirely female
Nonbinary people—individuals who identify as both male or female, neither male nor female, … and/or reject all gender identities—may experience unique mental health stressors due to cultural invisibility and ignorance surrounding nonbinary identities.Abbie E. Goldberg et al., The Counseling Psychologist
… some non-binary people who were assigned female at birth had chest surgery and/or took hormones. Others did not engage in these methods, but modified some visible markers of gender in other ways …Christina Richards et al., International Review of Psychiatry
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