sexual orientation

noun

plural sexual orientations
: a person's sexual identity or self-identification as bisexual, straight, gay, pansexual, etc. : the state of being bisexual, straight, gay, pansexual, etc.
Last summer a proposal submitted to Family Dollar Stores … persuaded the company's board to adopt a policy prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.William G. Sinkford
Liberace went to extraordinary lengths to hide his sexual orientation from the public.Entertainment Weekly

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sexual orientation was in 1946

Dictionary Entries Near sexual orientation

Cite this Entry

“Sexual orientation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sexual%20orientation. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

sexual orientation

noun
: a person's sexual identity or self-identification as bisexual, heterosexual, gay, etc. : the state of being bisexual, heterosexual, gay, etc.
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