sexuality
noun
sex·u·al·i·ty
ˌsek-shə-ˈwa-lə-tē 
1
: the quality or state of being sexual: such as
a
: sexual reproduction (see reproduction sense 1)
b
: sexual activity
c
: expression of sexual receptivity or interest
High school can be confusing, and grappling with one's burgeoning sexuality, even more so.—
Eliza Berman
Eliza Berman2
: a person's sexual identity or self-identification as bisexual, straight, gay, pansexual, etc. : sexual orientation
… the TV star told fans that she was "interested in both men and women" after a fan questioned her sexuality.—Courtney Ciandella
Courtney CiandellaExamples of sexuality in a Sentence
She is comfortable with her sexuality.
a study of male sexuality
Recent Examples on the Web
Should parents have the ability to prohibit their child from viewing content related to sexuality or gender identity at school?
—Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 18 Oct. 2025
When your sexuality is against the law, there are these kinds of relationships.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025
Boots is critical of the military’s 1990s-era anti-gay policies — under which gay military members had to conceal their sexuality or risk being criminally charged — and depicts the hardcore culture of the Marines as rather toxic.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
The questions about his character's sexuality became more frequent as fans suspected that Schnapp's character Will had feelings for his friend, Mike (Wolfhard).
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sexuality
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Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 18 Oct. 2025
When your sexuality is against the law, there are these kinds of relationships.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025
Boots is critical of the military’s 1990s-era anti-gay policies — under which gay military members had to conceal their sexuality or risk being criminally charged — and depicts the hardcore culture of the Marines as rather toxic.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025
The questions about his character's sexuality became more frequent as fans suspected that Schnapp's character Will had feelings for his friend, Mike (Wolfhard).
—Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sexuality
Cite this Entry
“Sexuality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sexuality. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sexuality
noun
sex·u·al·i·ty
ˌsek-shə-ˈwal-ət-ē
: the quality or state of being sexual
Medical Definition
sexuality
noun
sex·u·al·i·ty
ˌsek-shə-ˈwal-ət-ē
plural sexualities
1
: the quality or state of being sexual:
a
biology
: the condition of having sex (see sex entry 1 sense 1a)
b
: sexual activity
c
: expression of sexual receptivity or interest
2
: a person's sexual identity or self-identification as bisexual, heterosexual, gay, etc. : sexual orientation
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