1
b
: having a gender identity that is the opposite of female
c
: made up of usually adult members of the male sex : consisting of males
a male choir
d
: characteristic of boys, men, or the male sex : exhibiting maleness
a deep male voice
e
: designed for or typically used by boys or men
a male cologne
male contraceptives
f
: engaged in or exercised by boys or men
A social code that taught women deference to male power in return for protection was upended …—
Jane E. Schultz
Jane E. Schultz
g
: having a quality (such as vigor or boldness) sometimes associated with the male sex
2
: masculine sense 3b
a male rhyme
3
: designed with a projecting part for fitting into a corresponding female part
a male hose coupling
plural males
male·ness
plural -es
: the qualities (as of form, physiology, behavior) that distinguish an individual that produces small usually motile gametes from one that produces eggs : masculinity
—opposed to femaleness
see sex
Examples of male in a Sentence
Adjective
There were more male than female students.
Most extension cords have a male plug on one end and a female plug on the other.
Noun (1)
She attended a school where there were more males than females.
The male of this species assists the female in feeding the young.
Recent Examples on the Web
Madeline Gunderson,
USA Today,
5 July 2026
We are encouraged to indulge our delusions about replacement theory and white male superiority and to surrender to our instincts toward incivility and division.
—
Dawn M. Turner,
Chicago Tribune,
5 July 2026
Stephen Witt,
New Yorker,
29 June 2026
Bison are very large animals, with males weighing up to 2,000 pounds and females weighing up to half as much.
—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for male
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.
Adjective
That's because of superfecundation, which means that one female cat can become pregnant by multiple male cats at the same time.
—
Madeline Gunderson,
USA Today,
5 July 2026
We are encouraged to indulge our delusions about replacement theory and white male superiority and to surrender to our instincts toward incivility and division.
—
Dawn M. Turner,
Chicago Tribune,
5 July 2026
Noun
The robot is a humanoid—its design is inspired by the human form—and its proportions are a blend of those of the median American male and those of the median American female.
—
Stephen Witt,
New Yorker,
29 June 2026
Bison are very large animals, with males weighing up to 2,000 pounds and females weighing up to half as much.
—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for male
Cite this Entry
“Male.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/male. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
male
1 of 2 adjective1
a
: of, relating to, or being the sex that produces gametes which fertilize the eggs of females
b
: bearing only stamens
especially
: having only stamens and not producing fruit or seeds
a male holly
2
: made up or consisting of males
a male choir
maleness
noun
male
2 of 2 noun
: a male individual
Medical Definition
male
1 of 2 noun
: an individual that produces small usually motile gametes (as sperm or spermatozoa) which fertilize the eggs of a female
male
2 of 2 adjective1
: of, relating to, or being the sex that produces gametes which fertilize the eggs of female
2
: designed for fitting into a corresponding hollow part
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