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
The Waiting Years—stood out for its searingly honest exploration of female sexuality.
—Liam Hess, Vogue, 14 Apr. 2025
Despite his character Cal Jacobs’s inexcusable behavior on the show, Dane has managed to capture the humanity of the character’s internal battle with his sexuality throughout the first two seasons.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 11 Apr. 2025
Hernández Romero, a 31-year-old makeup artist who is gay, sought asylum legally due to persecution for his sexuality and opposition to Venezuela’s ruling party.
—Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2025
But by that time, the rising actor had been the subject of numerous items in celebrity news sites and gossip blogs that speculated on his sexuality.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sexuality
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Liam Hess, Vogue, 14 Apr. 2025
Despite his character Cal Jacobs’s inexcusable behavior on the show, Dane has managed to capture the humanity of the character’s internal battle with his sexuality throughout the first two seasons.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 11 Apr. 2025
Hernández Romero, a 31-year-old makeup artist who is gay, sought asylum legally due to persecution for his sexuality and opposition to Venezuela’s ruling party.
—Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2025
But by that time, the rising actor had been the subject of numerous items in celebrity news sites and gossip blogs that speculated on his sexuality.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 9 Apr. 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 Apr. 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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