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 Outside of those contexts, however, the word can be seen as evoking negative stereotypes and outdated clinical understandings of homosexuality as a psychiatric condition.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
Hegseth wants to reform the military chaplain corps Hegseth’s church network, the CREC, preaches a patriarchal form of Christianity, where women cannot serve in leadership, and pastors argue that homosexuality should be criminalized.
—
Tiffany Stanley, Los Angeles Times, 20 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
Faith and Denise, residents of Arua, a commercial hub in the northwest, have been charged with offenses related to homosexuality and indecency, according to a charge sheet obtained by CNN.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026
Senegal 's parliament has approved a new bill that toughens punishment for homosexuality in the largely Muslim West African nation, the latest African country to impose harsh penalties against the LGBTQ+ community.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
The film follows Bouchra, a Moroccan coyote filmmaker living in New York, who examines the impact of her homosexuality on her mother Aicha, a cardiologist in Casablanca.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026
On the right, Tucker Carlson has repeatedly asserted that Buttigieg only pretends to be gay, and is in fact a straight man faking homosexuality for political clout.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026
Baldwin thought embracing gay identity as a minority status meant confirming the majority’s view of homosexuality as inferior.
—Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
Needless to say, homosexuality was forbidden.
—Jason Sheeler, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Feb. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Tiffany Stanley, Los Angeles Times, 20 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
Faith and Denise, residents of Arua, a commercial hub in the northwest, have been charged with offenses related to homosexuality and indecency, according to a charge sheet obtained by CNN.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026
Senegal 's parliament has approved a new bill that toughens punishment for homosexuality in the largely Muslim West African nation, the latest African country to impose harsh penalties against the LGBTQ+ community.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
The film follows Bouchra, a Moroccan coyote filmmaker living in New York, who examines the impact of her homosexuality on her mother Aicha, a cardiologist in Casablanca.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026
On the right, Tucker Carlson has repeatedly asserted that Buttigieg only pretends to be gay, and is in fact a straight man faking homosexuality for political clout.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026
Baldwin thought embracing gay identity as a minority status meant confirming the majority’s view of homosexuality as inferior.
—Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
Needless to say, homosexuality was forbidden.
—Jason Sheeler, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Homosexuality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homosexuality. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
homosexuality
noun
ho·mo·sex·u·al·i·ty
ˌhō-mə-ˌsek-shə-ˈwal-ə-tē
: 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
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