transsexual

adjective trans·sex·u·al \ (ˌ)tran(t)s-ˈsek-sh(ə-)wəl , -shəl \

variants: or less commonly transexual

|Updated on: 27 Jul 2018

Definition of transsexual

: of, relating to, or being a person whose gender identity is opposite the sex the person had or was identified as having at birth

Note: Transsexual people may or may not undergo surgery and hormone therapy to obtain a physical appearance typical of the gender they identify as.

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transsexual

or less commonly transexual noun

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transsexualism

or less commonly transexualism play \(ˌ)tran(t)s-ˈsek-sh(ə-)wə-ˌli-zəm, -shə-ˌli-\ noun

—

transsexuality

or less commonly transexuality play \(ˌ)tran(t)s-ˌsek-shə-ˈwa-lə-tē\ noun

Recent Examples of transsexual from the Web

Dana International’s win was controversial in Israel, as some members of the Orthodox community condemned the idea of the country being represented by a transsexual performer.

— monica mercuri, Billboard, "S-Curve Records Signs Eurovision Winner Netta's Pop Anthem 'Toy'," 29 May 2018
Homosexuality was long a taboo in Poland, though views have changed in recent years, with Poles in 2011 making history by electing an openly gay man and a transsexual woman to the national parliament.

— Washington Post, "Pride parades and rainbow art defy conservative Polish times," 9 June 2018
At the time, some of the more common terms did in fact start that way (transgender, transsexual).

— katy steinmetz, Time, "The Oxford English Dictionary Added 'Trans*.' Here's What the Label Means," 3 Apr. 2018
Amanda Lepore, the transsexual NYC celebutante known the world over for her extensive plastic surgeries, has made a career of turning out iconic looks and performing in clubs across the world.

— stephen daw, Billboard, "Club Icon Amanda Lepore Talks David Bowie, 'Drag Race' & Her New EP," 8 Mar. 2018
Imagine a couple-thousand impeccably dressed attendees -- gay, lesbian, straight, transsexual, black, white, purple and gold -- transfixed by a gorgeous rendition of the anthem, many with hands in the air and tears on their cheeks.

— michael dumas, AL.com, "Show Us Your Mardi Gras Gowns: LaShe's embark on an 'Underwater Fantasy'," 7 Feb. 2018
So, what does Trump’s decision mean for transsexual — and transgender — people currently serving in the military?

— lily carollo, Daily Intelligencer, "A Transgender Servicemember on How He’s Coping With Trump’s Ban," 27 July 2017
Manning, who came out as transsexual in 2013, later tweeted a picture of herself in a convertible next to Gavin Grimm, a transgender teen from Virginia who sued his school district for denying him access to the boys' restroom.

— tara john, Time, "Chelsea Manning Marched With the ACLU in New York's Pride Parade," 26 June 2017
The same right to use bathrooms freely was also rescinded by the Senate president, Thomas Rivera Schatz, for that chamber’s transsexual employees.

— jennifer a. marcial ocasio, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Pulse victims’ families in Puerto Rico: 'We have to cry alone'," 8 June 2017

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

First Known Use of transsexual

1957

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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Medical Dictionary

transsexual

noun trans·sex·u·al

variants: also transexual play \(ˈ)tran(t)s-ˈsek-sh(-ə)-wəl, -ˈsek-shəl\

medical Definition of transsexual

: a person who psychologically identifies with the opposite sex and may seek to live as a member of this sex especially by undergoing surgery and hormone therapy to obtain the necessary physical appearance (as by changing the external sex organs)

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transsexual

also transexual adjective

—

transsexualism

also transexualism play \-wə-ˌliz-əm, -shə-ˌliz-\ noun

—

transsexuality

also transexuality play \-ˌsek-shə-ˈwal-ət-ē\ noun, plural -ties

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