sexuality

noun

sex·​u·​al·​i·​ty ˌsek-shə-ˈwa-lə-tē How to pronounce sexuality (audio)
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
2
: 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

Examples of sexuality in a Sentence

She is comfortable with her sexuality. a study of male sexuality
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The late twenties also saw the onset in America of the Great Depression, and, at least as far as entertainment is concerned, many scholars link displays of sexuality and queerness in films in the late 1920s and early 1930s to a larger crisis in masculinity. Betsy Golden Kellem, JSTOR Daily, 25 June 2025 More than 270 photographs show expressions of gender and sexuality across two centuries. Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2025 Thankfully, my husband can be kind to him while disapproving of his sexuality. Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 19 June 2025 His experience in the cemetery that day has now become inextricably intertwined with his own burgeoning sexuality, just as his and Wilder’s sweat became one in the shirt that led to this moment. David Opie, IndieWire, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for sexuality

Word History

First Known Use

1797, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sexuality was in 1797

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sexuality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sexuality. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

sexuality

noun
sex·​u·​al·​i·​ty ˌsek-shə-ˈwal-ət-ē How to pronounce sexuality (audio)
: the quality or state of being sexual

Medical Definition

sexuality

noun
sex·​u·​al·​i·​ty ˌsek-shə-ˈwal-ət-ē How to pronounce sexuality (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on sexuality

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