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

And yes, there’s a viral photo of Hozier holding the lesbian flag. —Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 24 Apr. 2025

But Min makes a real effort to fool Ja-Young, including moving into Angela and Lee’s home, and forcing them to clear it of any lesbian paraphernalia. —Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2025

Noun

The action shifts to a group of homeless people near Tompkins Square singing about life in Santa Fe, followed by two lesbians in a full-out argument. —Jeffrey Seller, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025

There is something to be said about [being] in this moment of a bunch of lesbians in music right now, who are being advocates in their own way, and [who are] making everyone feel comfortable. —Juan Velasquez, Them., 1 Apr. 2025

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