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

The year is 1983 and Karen Williams bursts into the world of standup comedy—the first out Black lesbian to perform lesbian-specific material on stage. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Sep. 2026

Things even turn out well for the lesbian couple, although one Black police officer ends up with his heart broken. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026

Noun

But points must be taken off for thinking a lesbian nun would only have gotten laid as a layperson. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026

Perhaps that’s what made the Boston Globe’s story of a lesbian bar meltdown in western Massachusetts go so viral this week. — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Sep. 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