feminize

verb

fem·​i·​nize ˈfe-mə-ˌnīz How to pronounce feminize (audio)
feminized; feminizing

transitive verb

1
: to give a feminine quality to
2
: to cause (a male or castrate) to take on feminine characters (as by implantation of ovaries or administration of estrogens)
feminization noun

Examples of feminize in a Sentence

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.
This effort to excessively feminize female politicians may not only be done out of sexualization but also because, culturally, femininity is associated with subjugation, which is why scholars believe many women in politics feel the need to distance themself from it. Chloe Iris Kennedy, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 Today, the dance floor has been thoroughly feminized and re-queered, leaving this album with nothing to demonstrate or explain. Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 23 Sep. 2024 Brats are hot, fun, and apolitical; they’ve been feminized and miniaturized and upgraded to a more consumer-friendly model. Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2024 The organization had been considering lowering the age minimums for gender-affirming care, including adjusting the age to 15 for masculinizing top surgery, 16 for feminizing top surgery, and 17 for genital surgery. James Factora, Them, 9 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for feminize 

Word History

First Known Use

1652, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of feminize was in 1652

Dictionary Entries Near feminize

Cite this Entry

“Feminize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feminize. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

feminize

transitive verb
fem·​i·​nize
variants or British feminise
feminized or British feminised; feminizing or British feminising
: to cause (a male or castrate) to take on feminine characters (as by implantation of ovaries or administration of estrogenic substances)
feminization noun
or British feminisation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!