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gender expression
noun
: the physical and behavioral manifestations of one's gender identity
People vary greatly in the extent to which they hold and convey gendered thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Gender expression refers to the way people convey their gender through mannerisms, behaviors, or expressions.—Encyclopedia of Sport and Exercise Psychology
For most people, … gender expression occurs so naturally it's unnoticeable. Except when gender expression doesn't match traditional notions of the gender assigned at birth.—Will Dean
Examples of gender expression in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But these scenes are an intensified version of an all-too-real dynamic — not unlike how drag reveals the absurdity of typical gender expression by cranking it up to 11.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 13 May 2024
Mom supported female gender expression Lugo had an affinity for the feminine since childhood, his family shared.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 10 Mar. 2024
Its models — scouted by Stephanie Francis, the project’s co-director and designer — strike vulnerable, yet confident poses, revealing how cancer has transformed their bodies while also asserting themselves in their overhauled embodiment of beauty, body image and gender expression.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN, 27 Mar. 2024
Weddings Trends and Ideas Beyond the Binary: Some designers are creating wedding fashion for the modern era that embraces a wider range of gender expressions.
—Sadiba Hasan, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2024
In one, people of different races, classes and gender expressions have their feet washed, including a woman outside a family planning clinic.
—Tiffany Stanley, Quartz, 13 Feb. 2024
One group, the Liberated Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum Consortium, offers free model lessons to schools, on topics such as the abolitionist John Brown’s raid, mass incarceration and gender expression, which are all part of the state’s framework.
—Dana Goldstein, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2024
More than a third (39%) of respondents said they were harassed online because of their gender expression or identity in the previous 12 months, and 30% reported being verbally harassed during the same time frame.
—Chandelis Duster, CNN, 7 Feb. 2024
At the beginning of the musical, Jerry, on the run from the mob, disguises himself as a woman, named Daphne, and then later finds joy and authenticity in that gender expression.
—Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 May 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gender expression.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1973, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of gender expression was
in 1973
Articles Related to gender expression
Dictionary Entries Near gender expression
Cite this Entry
“Gender expression.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gender%20expression. Accessed 17 Jun. 2024.
Medical Definition
gender expression
noun
: the physical and behavioral manifestations of one's gender identity
… some transgender people experience gender dysphoria, defined as psychological distress associated with a sense of incongruence between their gender identity and gender expression and/or body and physical appearance.—Jae M. Sevelius et al., International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Women in couples where both partners have more feminine gender expressions may be more likely to be perceived as sisters or friends by onlookers, making them less likely to be targets of homophobia, but simultaneously making it more likely that their romantic relationship will be dismissed.—Lauren Matheson et al., The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality
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