lesbian

1 of 2

adjective

les·​bi·​an ˈlez-bē-ən 

1

: of, relating to, or characterized by sexual or romantic attraction to other women or between women

gay and lesbian veterans

a lesbian relationship

2

Lesbian : of or relating to Lesbos

lesbian

2 of 2

noun

plural lesbians

: a woman who is sexually or romantically attracted to other women : a gay woman

lesbians and gay men

Examples of lesbian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

There was an early-evening hoedown hosted by the Times Squares, a gay and lesbian square-dancing troupe. —The Editors, Curbed, 2 Dec. 2024

His beth din has regularly converted gay, lesbian, and transgender people, and their children. —Jeannie Suk Gersen, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2024

Noun

But there was still speculation about whether DeGeneres and her character would come out as a lesbian. —John Russell, People.com, 25 Nov. 2024

Based in part on Cooke’s own experiences in lesbian bars in the ’90s, Drive-Away Dolls tells the story of two young lesbians (Geraldine Viswanathan and Qualley) who embark on a road trip to Tallahassee only to discover their driveaway car has a mysterious steel briefcase stowed in the trunk. —Samantha Allen, Them, 20 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

(sense 1) from association with the ardent poetry written by Sappho of Lesbos (c. 610-c. 580 b.c.) to and about other women in the female religious and educational community she led

First Known Use

Adjective

1559, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1732, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

lesbian

noun

les·​bi·​an

ˈlez-bē-ən

: a gay woman

lesbian adjective

lesbianism

-bē-ə-ˌniz-əm

noun

Medical Definition

lesbian

1 of 2 adjective

les·​bi·​an ˈlez-bē-ən 

: of, relating to, or characterized by sexual or romantic attraction to other women or between women

gay and lesbian adults

a lesbian relationship

lesbian

2 of 2 noun

: a woman who is sexually or romantically attracted to other women : a gay woman