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

Now the top Democrat on the House Agricultural Committee, Craig—a former journalist, mother of four boys, and first openly lesbian mother to serve in Congress—is contemplating a run for Minnesota's open Senate seat next year. —Charlotte Alter, TIME, 14 Mar. 2025

Romaine Brooks was a lesbian, very out of the closet about it. —Dodie Kazanjian, Vogue, 14 Mar. 2025

Noun

To many in the LGBTQ community, the attire and the slogan are symbols of bigotry and intolerance at a time when gay, lesbian and transgender rights are under growing attack. —Darrell Smith, Sacramento Bee, 20 Mar. 2025

There's all kinds of examples of Christians that are being attacked by the gays and lesbians. —Belinda Luscombe, TIME, 25 Feb. 2025

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