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
Nguyen and Balteaux said the concept was born from their own experiences of shame from their sexuality, growing up in the ’80s during the peak of the AIDS crisis.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 15 May 2026
Over the course of its history, the series has made headlines for its frank embrace of sexuality.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 15 May 2026
That film crackled with undertones of class, sexuality and politics, with Dirk Bogarde playing the sociopathic manservant to acclaim.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 15 May 2026
All of us, no matter our race, gender, religion, ethnicity, sexuality, class, or any other status, at times feel misunderstood, misrecognized, out of place, left out, othered.
—Literary Hub, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sexuality
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Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 15 May 2026
Over the course of its history, the series has made headlines for its frank embrace of sexuality.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 15 May 2026
That film crackled with undertones of class, sexuality and politics, with Dirk Bogarde playing the sociopathic manservant to acclaim.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 15 May 2026
All of us, no matter our race, gender, religion, ethnicity, sexuality, class, or any other status, at times feel misunderstood, misrecognized, out of place, left out, othered.
—Literary Hub, 14 May 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 20 May. 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
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