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

But the administration has kept most commemorations of lesbian, gay, and bisexual Americans while removing commemoration of trans rights, as seen in its reboot of the Stonewall monument. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 10 July 2026

The two eventually began a relationship, making Santana one of the first openly lesbian Latina characters on mainstream network television. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 8 July 2026

Noun

The performer, who is a lesbian, also used a gay slur to describe Jones’ ex-husband. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 22 July 2026

The following year, their younger daughter, Kat, came out as a lesbian. — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 14 July 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