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
The first-generation kid keeping his personal life from his parents isn’t new but it is complicated by race, sexuality, and the seemingly perfect life of Naveen’s sister Arundhathi — whose storyline feels like an afterthought, but one was understandably written in to utilize co-star, Sunita Mani.
—Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 31 Mar. 2025
Clark’s race, and even sexuality, were brought up as talking points throughout the 2024 season and appear to be on the rundown for pundits again this season.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 26 Mar. 2025
The Tony-winning show, with a rock score by Duncan Sheik and a book by Steven Sater, is based on an 1891 German play of the same name and delves into a surprising variety of mature themes about teens discovering their own sexuality.
—Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2025
The good news about munching is that anyone, no matter their gender identity or sexuality, can take part — but what works on one person may not work on another.
—Ian Kumamoto, Them, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sexuality
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Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 31 Mar. 2025
Clark’s race, and even sexuality, were brought up as talking points throughout the 2024 season and appear to be on the rundown for pundits again this season.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 26 Mar. 2025
The Tony-winning show, with a rock score by Duncan Sheik and a book by Steven Sater, is based on an 1891 German play of the same name and delves into a surprising variety of mature themes about teens discovering their own sexuality.
—Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2025
The good news about munching is that anyone, no matter their gender identity or sexuality, can take part — but what works on one person may not work on another.
—Ian Kumamoto, Them, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sexuality
Cite this Entry
“Sexuality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sexuality. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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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