homosexuality
noun
ho·mo·sex·u·al·i·ty
ˌhō-mə-ˌsek-shə-ˈwa-lə-tē 
1
now sometimes offensive; see usage paragraph below
: sexual or romantic attraction to others of one's same sex : the quality or state of being gay
2
now sometimes offensive; see usage paragraph below
: sexual activity with another of the same sex
Usage of Homosexuality
Neutral use of the term homosexuality is still somewhat common, especially in technical and formal contexts. Outside of those contexts, however, the word can be seen as evoking negative stereotypes and outdated clinical understandings of homosexuality as a psychiatric condition.
Examples of homosexuality in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
As late as the 1970s, the American Psychiatric Association still classified homosexuality as a mental disorder.
—
Kevin Cope, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
Senegal’s president signed a law Monday that toughens punishment for homosexuality in the latest African country to impose harsh penalties against the LGBTQ+ community.
—Aleksandar Furtula, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
The American Psychiatric Association declassified homosexuality as a mental illness in 1973.
—Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
The church has also consistently taken a conservative stance on the issue of homosexuality, specifically rejecting both same-sex unions and the ordination of members of the LGBTQ+ community, placing it at odds with some other members of the Anglican Communion.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
The notes tell Valerie’s story as a lesbian actress who falls in love on a film set, only to be later imprisoned for her homosexuality.
—Matthew Huff, IndieWire, 17 Mar. 2026
Faith and Denise, residents of Arua, a commercial hub in the northwest, have been charged with offenses related to homosexuality and indecency, according to a charge sheet obtained by CNN.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026
Senegal 's parliament has approved a new bill that toughens punishment for homosexuality in the largely Muslim West African nation, the latest African country to impose harsh penalties against the LGBTQ+ community.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
My parents sat me down and told me homosexuality was the worst possible sin a person could commit.
—Lee Rood, Des Moines Register, 8 Mar. 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kevin Cope, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
Senegal’s president signed a law Monday that toughens punishment for homosexuality in the latest African country to impose harsh penalties against the LGBTQ+ community.
—Aleksandar Furtula, Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 2026
The American Psychiatric Association declassified homosexuality as a mental illness in 1973.
—Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
The church has also consistently taken a conservative stance on the issue of homosexuality, specifically rejecting both same-sex unions and the ordination of members of the LGBTQ+ community, placing it at odds with some other members of the Anglican Communion.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
The notes tell Valerie’s story as a lesbian actress who falls in love on a film set, only to be later imprisoned for her homosexuality.
—Matthew Huff, IndieWire, 17 Mar. 2026
Faith and Denise, residents of Arua, a commercial hub in the northwest, have been charged with offenses related to homosexuality and indecency, according to a charge sheet obtained by CNN.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026
Senegal 's parliament has approved a new bill that toughens punishment for homosexuality in the largely Muslim West African nation, the latest African country to impose harsh penalties against the LGBTQ+ community.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
My parents sat me down and told me homosexuality was the worst possible sin a person could commit.
—Lee Rood, Des Moines Register, 8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Homosexuality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homosexuality. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
homosexuality
noun
ho·mo·sex·u·al·i·ty
ˌhō-mə-ˌsek-shə-ˈwal-ə-tē
: sexual or romantic attraction to others of one's same sex : the quality or state of being gay
Medical Definition
homosexuality
noun
ho·mo·sex·u·al·i·ty
ˌhō-mə-ˌsek-shə-ˈwal-ət-ē
plural homosexualities
1
: sexual or romantic attraction to others of one's same sex : the quality or state of being gay
2
: sexual activity with another of the same sex
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