homosexuality

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

|Updated on: 18 Jun 2018

Definition of homosexuality

1 : sexual attraction or the tendency to direct sexual desire toward another of the same sex : the quality or state of being homosexual

2 : sexual activity with another of the same sex

See homosexuality defined for kids

Recent Examples of homosexuality from the Web

After the war, Michael unhappily marries a woman, Flora; Thomas begs him to imagine what their lives together could be like, but homosexuality was still criminalized in England at the time.

— margaret lyons, New York Times, "How Much Watching Time Do You Have This Weekend?," 14 June 2018
For decades, African opponents of LGBT rights have often argued that homosexuality is a Western import.

— ryan lenora brown, The Christian Science Monitor, "Gay Kenyans hope for legal win, eyeing broader shift in Africa," 13 June 2018
Romanians who consider homosexuality to be a threat to society rallied in Bucharest before Saturday’s gay pride parade.

— NBC News, "LGBTQ pride parade turnout defies conservative times in Poland," 11 June 2018
Romanians who consider homosexuality to be a threat to society rallied in Bucharest before Saturday’s gay pride parade.

— Washington Post, "Gay pride parade turnout defies conservative times in Poland," 9 June 2018
Romanians who consider homosexuality to be a threat to society rallied in Bucharest before Saturday’s gay pride parade.

— vanessa gera, The Seattle Times, "Gay pride parade turnout defies conservative times in Poland," 9 June 2018
Romanians who consider homosexuality to be a threat to society rallied in Bucharest before Saturday’s gay pride parade.

— vanessa gera, BostonGlobe.com, "Gay pride parade turnout defies conservative trend in Europe," 9 June 2018
Romanians who consider homosexuality to be a threat to society rallied in Bucharest before Saturday's gay pride parade.

— vanessa gera, chicagotribune.com, "Pride parade turnout defies conservative times in Poland, Romania," 9 June 2018
While growing up in Las Vegas with eight other siblings, the star — who often felt troubled about some aspects of his faith — was taught that homosexuality was a sin.

— melody chiu, PEOPLE.com, "Imagine Dragons' Dan Reynolds Explains How He Reconciles Advocating for the LGBTQ Community with His Mormon Faith," 7 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'homosexuality.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.