gender expression

noun

: the physical and behavioral manifestations of one's gender identity

People vary greatly in the extent to which they hold and convey gendered thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Gender expression refers to the way people convey their gender through mannerisms, behaviors, or expressions.

—Encyclopedia of Sport and Exercise Psychology

For most people, … gender expression occurs so naturally it's unnoticeable. Except when gender expression doesn't match traditional notions of the gender assigned at birth.

—Will Dean

Examples of gender expression in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Treatment plans for gender dysphoria typically include changes in gender expression and role, hormone therapy, surgery and behavioral therapy, according to the Mayo Clinic. —Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 13 Nov. 2024

The Arizona law requires schools to provide information to parents but does not specifically include details about students’ gender expression or sexuality. —Geoff Mulvihill, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Apr. 2024

The ban also prohibited gender-affirming surgeries for trans youth; a study published Thursday found that such surgeries are vanishingly rare among trans youth, but are more commonly performed to affirm cisgender teens’ gender expression. —Samantha Riedel, Them, 28 June 2024

As much as a new generation of pop and electronic musicians found freedom in SOPHIE’s brash blend of industrial and bubblegum, a generation of trans musicians and fans found themselves in SOPHIE’s gender expression. —Justin Curto, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

gender expression

noun

: the physical and behavioral manifestations of one's gender identity

… some transgender people experience gender dysphoria, defined as psychological distress associated with a sense of incongruence between their gender identity and gender expression and/or body and physical appearance.

—Jae M. Sevelius et al., International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Women in couples where both partners have more feminine gender expressions may be more likely to be perceived as sisters or friends by onlookers, making them less likely to be targets of homophobia, but simultaneously making it more likely that their romantic relationship will be dismissed.

—Lauren Matheson et al., The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality