sexuality

noun

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sex·u·al·i·ty | \ ˌsek-shə-ˈwa-lə-tē

Definition of sexuality

: the quality or state of being sexual:

a : the condition of having sex

b : sexual activity

c : expression of sexual receptivity or interest especially when excessive

Examples of sexuality in a Sentence

She is comfortable with her sexuality. a study of male sexuality

Recent Examples on the Web Women struggle with their place in society – not everyone wants to get married off just because they're supposed to) – and a gay character has to keep his sexuality a secret. — David Oliver, USA TODAY, "What Netflix's buzzy 'Bridgerton' says about race: 'We wanted this show to reflect the world'," 28 Dec. 2020 The Oscar winner has never shied away from talking about sexuality. — Rachel Yang, EW.com, "Emma Thompson criticizes 'utterly unbalanced' movie romances between men and women," 23 Dec. 2020 One man, Frank Kameny, was fired from his role in the Army Map Service in 1957 because of his sexuality. — Arpita Aneja, Time, "You've Probably Heard of the Red Scare, but the Lesser-Known, Anti-Gay 'Lavender Scare' Is Rarely Taught in Schools," 22 Dec. 2020 Though constrained by the terminology and attitudes of her time, Ma was certainly more open about her sexuality than most women — and especially Black women — were back then. — Anne Cohen, refinery29.com, "Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Shines A Light On The Fierce Woman Behind The Greasepaint," 19 Dec. 2020 In a revealing new episode of the podcast, Scissoring Isn't a Thing, celebrity hairstylist and Very Cavallari star Justin Anderson shared his emotional coming out story and explained how his sexuality made his family reconsider their Mormon beliefs. — Hanna Flanagan, PEOPLE.com, "Very Cavallari's Justin Anderson Says Coming Out Made It Easier for His Family to Leave Mormonism," 16 Dec. 2020 While talking to Dax Shepard on his Armchair Expert podcast, Shawn revealed that rumors about his sexuality have been hard on him over the years. — Tamara Fuentes, Seventeen, "Shawn Mendes Said "Frustrating" Sexuality Rumors Made Him "Suffer With That Sh*t"," 15 Dec. 2020 This is a woman who was unapologetic about her sexuality, unapologetic about her worth. — New York Times, "More Great," 10 Dec. 2020 Black femmes’ sexuality has always been used as a weapon to discredit the person and the person’s successes. — Faylita Hicks, Longreads, "The Danger of Desire," 2 Apr. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sexuality.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near sexuality

sexually transmitted disease

Statistics for sexuality

Last Updated

15 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Sexuality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sexuality. Accessed 17 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for sexuality

sexuality

noun

English Language Learners Definition of sexuality

: the sexual habits and desires of a person

See the full definition for sexuality in the English Language Learners Dictionary

sexuality

noun

sex·u·al·i·ty | \ ˌsek-shə-ˈwal-ət-ē

plural sexualities

Medical Definition of sexuality

: the quality or state of being sexual:

a : the condition of having sex

b : sexual activity

c : expression of sexual receptivity or interest especially when excessive

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sexuality

Definition of sexuality

Examples of sexuality in a Sentence

First Known Use of sexuality

Learn More about sexuality

Dictionary Entries near sexuality

Statistics for sexuality

English Language Learners Definition of sexuality