sexism

noun

sex·​ism ˈsek-ˌsi-zəm 

1

: prejudice or discrimination based on sex

especially : discrimination against women

2

: behavior, conditions, or attitudes that foster stereotypes of social roles based on sex

sexist

ˈsek-sist 

adjective or noun

Examples of sexism in a Sentence

the problem of sexism in language

Recent Examples on the Web

But Wallace, alert to the sexism of his forebears and eager to demonstrate his own feminism, once sounded a lot like Lockwood. —Hermione Hoby, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026

Our study also shows that people who scored high on hostile sexism were much more likely to hold negative views of Kamala Harris during the presidential election of 2024. —Laurel Elder, Fortune, 22 Jan. 2026

In her 2025 book, The New Age of Sexism, the writer and activist Laura Bates describes learning that her image had been modified into deepfake pornography, seemingly in response to her work addressing sexism. —Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2026

And while sexism persists, older women feel it in different ways. —Judy Berman, Time, 14 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

sex entry 1 + -ism (as in racism)

First Known Use

1934, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for sexism

• heterosexism

Kids Definition

sexism

noun

sex·​ism ˈsek-ˌsiz-əm 

: distinction and especially unjust distinction based on sex and made against one person or group in favor of another

especially : distinctions made against women

sexist

ˈsek-səst 

adjective or noun