gender expression
noun
: the physical and behavioral manifestations of one's gender identity
People vary greatly in the extent to which they hold and convey gendered thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Gender expression refers to the way people convey their gender through mannerisms, behaviors, or expressions.—
Encyclopedia of Sport and Exercise Psychology
Encyclopedia of Sport and Exercise PsychologyFor most people, … gender expression occurs so naturally it's unnoticeable. Except when gender expression doesn't match traditional notions of the gender assigned at birth.—Will Dean
Will DeanExamples of gender expression in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In antiquity, there were masculine women, feminine men and people who altered their bodies to match their gender expression more closely.
—Tom Sapsford, The Conversation, 24 Feb. 2025
Coverage must be provided without discrimination based on gender expression or identity.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 24 Jan. 2025
California state law prohibits discrimination of students based on gender, gender identity and gender expression and specifically prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender in physical education and athletics.
—Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 1 Feb. 2025
California state law prohibits discrimination of students based on gender, gender identity and gender expression, and specifically prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender in physical education and athletics.
—Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 4 Jan. 2025
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Tom Sapsford, The Conversation, 24 Feb. 2025
Coverage must be provided without discrimination based on gender expression or identity.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 24 Jan. 2025
California state law prohibits discrimination of students based on gender, gender identity and gender expression and specifically prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender in physical education and athletics.
—Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 1 Feb. 2025
California state law prohibits discrimination of students based on gender, gender identity and gender expression, and specifically prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender in physical education and athletics.
—Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 4 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gender expression
Articles Related to gender expression
Cite this Entry
“Gender expression.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gender%20expression. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
gender expression
noun
: the physical and behavioral manifestations of one's gender identity
… some transgender people experience gender dysphoria, defined as psychological distress associated with a sense of incongruence between their gender identity and gender expression and/or body and physical appearance.—Jae M. Sevelius et al., International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Jae M. Sevelius et al., International Journal of Environmental Research and Public HealthWomen in couples where both partners have more feminine gender expressions may be more likely to be perceived as sisters or friends by onlookers, making them less likely to be targets of homophobia, but simultaneously making it more likely that their romantic relationship will be dismissed.—Lauren Matheson et al., The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality
Lauren Matheson et al., The Canadian Journal of Human SexualityLove words? Need even more definitions?
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