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
Fact check: No proof of State Department message telling TikTok users to delete the app
Musk and Trump have been outspoken about gender and sexuality.
—Katie Smith, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2025
With amateur styling and models almost certainly cast from the streets of New York, Latino Fan Club existed to celebrate raw sexuality at a time when AIDS had largely sent Eros underground.
—Guy Trebay, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Three existences, mainly linked by sexuality and desire, pain and inheritance.
—Jamie Lang, Variety, 22 Jan. 2025
The memoir chronicled her upbringing, her romance with Olivier (portrayed through their love letters) and the rumors that surrounded her husband’s sexuality.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for sexuality 
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Katie Smith, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2025
With amateur styling and models almost certainly cast from the streets of New York, Latino Fan Club existed to celebrate raw sexuality at a time when AIDS had largely sent Eros underground.
—Guy Trebay, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Three existences, mainly linked by sexuality and desire, pain and inheritance.
—Jamie Lang, Variety, 22 Jan. 2025
The memoir chronicled her upbringing, her romance with Olivier (portrayed through their love letters) and the rumors that surrounded her husband’s sexuality.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2025
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 6 Feb. 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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