sexuality

noun

sex·​u·​al·​i·​ty ˌsek-shə-ˈwa-lə-tē How to pronounce sexuality (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being sexual: such as
a
: sexual reproduction (see reproduction sense 1)
b
: sexual activity
c
: expression of sexual receptivity or interest
High school can be confusing, and grappling with one's burgeoning sexuality, even more so.Eliza Berman
2
: a person's sexual identity or self-identification as bisexual, straight, gay, pansexual, etc. : sexual orientation
… the TV star told fans that she was "interested in both men and women" after a fan questioned her sexuality.Courtney Ciandella

Examples of sexuality in a Sentence

She is comfortable with her sexuality. a study of male sexuality
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.
For a more tolerant society, the time to introduce differences of all kinds, including sexuality, is the early years. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024 Hovde’s campaign also ran a slew of TV ads drawing attention to Baldwin’s sexuality, repeatedly mentioning her girlfriend, Maria Brisbane. Sarah Prager, NBC News, 8 Nov. 2024 Wiley’s art, both in its subject matter and in its process, has always intertwined sexuality and power dynamics. Rachel Corbett, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2024 Her latest tells the story of four filmmaker friends persecuted by the authorities for their sexuality in 1950s communist Yugoslavia. Guy Lodge, Variety, 2 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sexuality 

Word History

First Known Use

1797, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sexuality was in 1797

Dictionary Entries Near sexuality

Cite this Entry

“Sexuality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sexuality. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

sexuality

noun
sex·​u·​al·​i·​ty ˌsek-shə-ˈwal-ət-ē How to pronounce sexuality (audio)
: the quality or state of being sexual

Medical Definition

sexuality

noun
sex·​u·​al·​i·​ty ˌsek-shə-ˈwal-ət-ē How to pronounce sexuality (audio)
plural sexualities
1
: the quality or state of being sexual:
a
biology : the condition of having sex (see sex entry 1 sense 1a)
b
: sexual activity
c
: expression of sexual receptivity or interest
2
: a person's sexual identity or self-identification as bisexual, heterosexual, gay, etc. : sexual orientation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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