homosexuality

noun

ho·​mo·​sex·​u·​al·​i·​ty ˌhō-mə-ˌsek-shə-ˈwa-lə-tē 

1

now sometimes offensive; see usage paragraph below : sexual or romantic attraction to others of one's same sex : the quality or state of being gay

2

now sometimes offensive; see usage paragraph below : sexual activity with another of the same sex

Usage of Homosexuality

Neutral use of the term homosexuality is still somewhat common, especially in technical and formal contexts. Outside of those contexts, however, the word can be seen as evoking negative stereotypes and outdated clinical understandings of homosexuality as a psychiatric condition.

Examples of homosexuality in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Nepal even put to shame India, the world’s largest democracy, which decriminalized homosexuality in 2018, eleven years after Nepal. —Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025

Seen this way, that Giovanni should turn to homosexuality is not a refutation of the novel’s homophobic logic but a confirmation of it. —Garth Greenwell, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025

Charlamagne, taken aback, asked why Dame had such an issue with homosexuality. —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 16 Sep. 2025

While never changing the church's teaching on homosexuality, Francis met repeatedly with LGBT advocates. —Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2025

Countries like the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Indonesia, Malaysia, Egypt and Kuwait banned the film due to its depiction of homosexuality. —Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025

Even today, Heathers' spin on cliques, teen suicide, and homosexuality still has bite. —Michelle Kung, EW.com, 18 Aug. 2025

Despite his contributions to advancing Black people’s freedom, Rustin was pushed to the background by his peers because of his homosexuality. —Jason Oliver Evans, The Conversation, 3 Feb. 2023

For many traditionalists, effective enforcement of this teaching would mean cracking down on homosexuality among the clergy, including gay clergy who are celibate and chaste. —Massimo Faggioli, Foreign Affairs, 11 Oct. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for homosexuality

• autoradiography
• stereotypically
• abc
• absentee
• addressee
• adoptee
• agouti
• allottee
• amphorae
• amputee
• apc
• apogee

Kids Definition

homosexuality

noun

ho·​mo·​sex·​u·​al·​i·​ty ˌhō-mə-ˌsek-shə-ˈwal-ə-tē 

sometimes offensive

: sexual or romantic attraction to others of one's same sex : the quality or state of being gay

Medical Definition

homosexuality

noun

ho·​mo·​sex·​u·​al·​i·​ty ˌhō-mə-ˌsek-shə-ˈwal-ət-ē 

plural homosexualities

1

: sexual or romantic attraction to others of one's same sex : the quality or state of being gay

2

: sexual activity with another of the same sex