sexuality
noun
sex·u·al·i·ty
ˌsek-shə-ˈwa-lə-tē 
1
: the quality or state of being sexual: such as
a
: sexual reproduction (see reproduction sense 1)
b
: sexual activity
c
: expression of sexual receptivity or interest
High school can be confusing, and grappling with one's burgeoning sexuality, even more so.—
Eliza Berman
Eliza Berman2
: a person's sexual identity or self-identification as bisexual, straight, gay, pansexual, etc. : sexual orientation
… the TV star told fans that she was "interested in both men and women" after a fan questioned her sexuality.—Courtney Ciandella
Courtney CiandellaExamples of sexuality in a Sentence
She is comfortable with her sexuality.
a study of male sexuality
Recent Examples on the Web
Neither Algernon nor Jack’s sexuality, then, is close to labeled—and, in Webster’s interpretation of Earnest, both Cecily and Gwendolen will buck binaries too.
—Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 31 Oct. 2024
In July, pictures surfaced of her in a club with her girlfriend, appearing to confirm longstanding rumors about her sexuality.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2024
Mendes — who has dated Camila Cabello on and off for years and has been publicly linked to Sabrina Carpenter in the past — previously discussed rumors about his sexuality while speaking to Dax Shepard on his Armchair Expert podcast in 2020.
—Becca Longmire, People.com, 29 Oct. 2024
Based on the semi-autobiographical 1985 novel of the same name by William S. Burroughs, viewers can expect a mesmerizing postmodern meditation on addiction, desire, and sexuality.
—Samantha Allen, Them, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sexuality 
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Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 31 Oct. 2024
In July, pictures surfaced of her in a club with her girlfriend, appearing to confirm longstanding rumors about her sexuality.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2024
Mendes — who has dated Camila Cabello on and off for years and has been publicly linked to Sabrina Carpenter in the past — previously discussed rumors about his sexuality while speaking to Dax Shepard on his Armchair Expert podcast in 2020.
—Becca Longmire, People.com, 29 Oct. 2024
Based on the semi-autobiographical 1985 novel of the same name by William S. Burroughs, viewers can expect a mesmerizing postmodern meditation on addiction, desire, and sexuality.
—Samantha Allen, Them, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sexuality
Dictionary Entries Near sexuality
Cite this Entry
“Sexuality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sexuality. Accessed 13 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sexuality
noun
sex·u·al·i·ty
ˌsek-shə-ˈwal-ət-ē
: the quality or state of being sexual
Medical Definition
sexuality
noun
sex·u·al·i·ty
ˌsek-shə-ˈwal-ət-ē
plural sexualities
1
: the quality or state of being sexual:
a
biology
: the condition of having sex (see sex entry 1 sense 1a)
b
: sexual activity
c
: expression of sexual receptivity or interest
2
: a person's sexual identity or self-identification as bisexual, heterosexual, gay, etc. : sexual orientation
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