lesbian

1 of 2

adjective

les·​bi·​an ˈlez-bē-ən 

1

: of, relating to, or characterized by sexual or romantic attraction to other women or between women

gay and lesbian veterans

a lesbian relationship

2

Lesbian : of or relating to Lesbos

lesbian

2 of 2

noun

plural lesbians

: a woman who is sexually or romantically attracted to other women : a gay woman

lesbians and gay men

Examples of lesbian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Jayne, Parks and Gorga spoke following an introduction by Tammy Baldwin, the first openly lesbian member of Congress. —Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026

The notes tell Valerie’s story as a lesbian actress who falls in love on a film set, only to be later imprisoned for her homosexuality. —Matthew Huff, IndieWire, 17 Mar. 2026

Noun

There will be groups big and small, religious and secular, traditional and contemporary, gay, lesbian and straight, and English- and Spanish- speaking. —Beth Wood, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026

Men, compared with women, however, and people who identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual were more likely to have previously engaged in consensual nonmonogamy, according to the study. —Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

(sense 1) from association with the ardent poetry written by Sappho of Lesbos (c. 610-c. 580 b.c.) to and about other women in the female religious and educational community she led

First Known Use

Adjective

1559, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1732, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

lesbian

noun

les·​bi·​an

ˈlez-bē-ən

: a gay woman

lesbian adjective

lesbianism

-bē-ə-ˌniz-əm

noun

Medical Definition

lesbian

1 of 2 adjective

les·​bi·​an ˈlez-bē-ən 

: of, relating to, or characterized by sexual or romantic attraction to other women or between women

gay and lesbian adults

a lesbian relationship

lesbian

2 of 2 noun

: a woman who is sexually or romantically attracted to other women : a gay woman