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 Outside of those contexts, however, the word can be seen as evoking negative stereotypes and outdated clinical understandings of homosexuality as a psychiatric condition.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
Baldwin thought embracing gay identity as a minority status meant confirming the majority’s view of homosexuality as inferior.
—
Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
Human rights groups in Senegal say that the situation for gay people in the country has been deteriorating since 2018, and that at least a dozen people have been arrested in recent weeks over allegations of homosexuality.
—Ope Adetayo, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Human rights groups in Senegal say the situation for gay people in the country has been deteriorating since 2018, and that at least a dozen people have been arrested in recent weeks over allegations of homosexuality.
—ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026
Needless to say, homosexuality was forbidden.
—Jason Sheeler, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Feb. 2026
Even after homosexuality was decriminalized in the post-Soviet country at the turn of the century, intolerance has been commonplace.
—Ryan Oehrli
updated February 6, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2026
The hope is this will avoid the culture wars of previous years, when a small number of players, who interpret the promotion of homosexuality as a conflict with their religious beliefs, become the dominant talking point of an activation the Premier League hoped would unify rather than divide.
—Adam Crafton, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2026
One slide notes that homosexuality is found in more than 1,500 species of animals, and includes photos of fish, bugs and lions.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Like the character, I was born toward the end of the Soviet Union, a time when homosexuality was still a criminal offense.
—Mikhail Zygar, Vanity Fair, 7 Jan. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
Human rights groups in Senegal say that the situation for gay people in the country has been deteriorating since 2018, and that at least a dozen people have been arrested in recent weeks over allegations of homosexuality.
—Ope Adetayo, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Human rights groups in Senegal say the situation for gay people in the country has been deteriorating since 2018, and that at least a dozen people have been arrested in recent weeks over allegations of homosexuality.
—ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026
Needless to say, homosexuality was forbidden.
—Jason Sheeler, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Feb. 2026
Even after homosexuality was decriminalized in the post-Soviet country at the turn of the century, intolerance has been commonplace.
—Ryan Oehrli
updated February 6, Charlotte Observer, 6 Feb. 2026
The hope is this will avoid the culture wars of previous years, when a small number of players, who interpret the promotion of homosexuality as a conflict with their religious beliefs, become the dominant talking point of an activation the Premier League hoped would unify rather than divide.
—Adam Crafton, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2026
One slide notes that homosexuality is found in more than 1,500 species of animals, and includes photos of fish, bugs and lions.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Like the character, I was born toward the end of the Soviet Union, a time when homosexuality was still a criminal offense.
—Mikhail Zygar, Vanity Fair, 7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Homosexuality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homosexuality. Accessed 7 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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