het·ero·sex·u·al
ˌhe-tə-rō-ˈsek-sh(ə-)wəl 
-ˈsek-shəl
1
a
: of, relating to, or characterized by sexual or romantic attraction to or between people of the opposite sex
heterosexual men/women
a heterosexual couple
b
: of, relating to, or involving sexual activity between individuals of the opposite sex
2
: of or relating to different sexes
plural heterosexuals
: a person who is sexually or romantically attracted to people of the opposite sex : a heterosexual person
Examples of heterosexual in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Tess Foley-Cox, theweek, 7 Nov. 2024
This move aligned with what many US families looked like thirty years ago, where in married, heterosexual households, a male partner was generally the breadwinner.
—Jasmine Browley, Essence, 6 Oct. 2024
Ian Randall, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024
Try it for the next year or so: Stop being a heterosexual to demonstrate to your son that a person’s sexuality is a matter of choice – to be dictated by one’s parents, the parents’ church and social pressure.
—Amy Dickinson, Sun Sentinel, 26 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for heterosexual 
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Adjective
In fact, the United Nations has reported a steady decrease in new HIV infections in the country, with primary transmission occurring from heterosexual contact.
—Tess Foley-Cox, theweek, 7 Nov. 2024
This move aligned with what many US families looked like thirty years ago, where in married, heterosexual households, a male partner was generally the breadwinner.
—Jasmine Browley, Essence, 6 Oct. 2024
Noun
The participants were mainly white, married, educated, English-speaking heterosexuals and therefore do not fully reflect the population.
—Ian Randall, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024
Try it for the next year or so: Stop being a heterosexual to demonstrate to your son that a person’s sexuality is a matter of choice – to be dictated by one’s parents, the parents’ church and social pressure.
—Amy Dickinson, Sun Sentinel, 26 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for heterosexual
Dictionary Entries Near heterosexual
Cite this Entry
“Heterosexual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heterosexual. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
heterosexual
1 of 2 adjective
het·ero·sex·u·al
ˌhet-ə-rō-ˈseksh-(ə-)wəl
-ˈsek-shəl
: of, relating to, or marked by sexual or romantic attraction to people of the opposite sex
heterosexual
2 of 2 noun
: a heterosexual individual
Medical Definition
heterosexual
1 of 2 adjective
het·ero·sex·u·al
ˌhet-ə-rō-ˈseksh-(ə-)wəl, -ˈsek-shəl
1
a
: of, relating to, or characterized by sexual or romantic attraction to or between individuals of the opposite sex
b
: of, relating to, or involving sexual activity between individuals of the opposite sex
sexual relationships between individuals of opposite sexes are heterosexual—A. C. Kinsey
A. C. Kinsey2
: of or relating to different sexes
heterosexual
2 of 2 noun
: a person who is sexually or romantically attracted to people of the opposite sex : a heterosexual individual
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