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 edgy series lasted two seasons and took on some hot topics like identity, gender, sexuality, conformity and the notion of empathy as an evolving construct of humanity.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 14 Feb. 2026
It's also linked with ideas about women and their sexuality and consumption.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
Both of Colm Tóibín’s fantastic retellings of the lives of two literary greats, Henry James and Thomas Mann, are well worth reading, but The Master in particular, about James, set during the final years of the 19th Century, is an incredible exploration of art, loneliness and sexuality.
—Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026
The female body, in particular, has been commoditized to be this emblem of sexuality.
—Nicola Dall'asen, Allure, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sexuality
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jeff Spry, Space.com, 14 Feb. 2026
It's also linked with ideas about women and their sexuality and consumption.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
Both of Colm Tóibín’s fantastic retellings of the lives of two literary greats, Henry James and Thomas Mann, are well worth reading, but The Master in particular, about James, set during the final years of the 19th Century, is an incredible exploration of art, loneliness and sexuality.
—Literary Hub, 11 Feb. 2026
The female body, in particular, has been commoditized to be this emblem of sexuality.
—Nicola Dall'asen, Allure, 5 Feb. 2026
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 Feb. 2026.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
