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
Anning’s sexuality is the subject of debate.
—Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
The idea for OneTaste took root in 1998, after Daedone met a sexuality coach named Erwan Davon at a party.
—Thessaly La Force, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025
The Australian singer addressed the backlash to her viral comments about her own sexuality, as well as singer Reneé Rapp’s, in an Instagram story posted early Thursday morning.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 28 Aug. 2025
For a star who hasn't actually said anything definitive about his sexuality, countless social media posts sure like talking about it with no evidence.
—David Oliver, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sexuality
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Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
The idea for OneTaste took root in 1998, after Daedone met a sexuality coach named Erwan Davon at a party.
—Thessaly La Force, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025
The Australian singer addressed the backlash to her viral comments about her own sexuality, as well as singer Reneé Rapp’s, in an Instagram story posted early Thursday morning.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 28 Aug. 2025
For a star who hasn't actually said anything definitive about his sexuality, countless social media posts sure like talking about it with no evidence.
—David Oliver, USA Today, 27 Aug. 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 7 Sep. 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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