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
Doja Cat joins internet mockery of Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle jeans ad
As debate continues to rage over when a woman's sexuality is her own, how it can be ethically employed, and where the marketing budget comes in, Sweeney's ad did not stick the landing with viewers.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 30 July 2025
Seven patrons of Llano County public libraries filed the lawsuit in 2022 after the county removed 17 books targeted by a group of conservative Christian activists for their content on race, gender and sexuality, as well as some children’s books that contained nudity.
—Bayliss Wagner, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
So do advocate for yourself in clinical settings and remember that your sexuality is a key component of your overall health.
—Ximena Araya-Fischel, Forbes.com, 27 July 2025
My sexuality is very specific and connected to emotional attachment.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for sexuality
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Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 30 July 2025
Seven patrons of Llano County public libraries filed the lawsuit in 2022 after the county removed 17 books targeted by a group of conservative Christian activists for their content on race, gender and sexuality, as well as some children’s books that contained nudity.
—Bayliss Wagner, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
So do advocate for yourself in clinical settings and remember that your sexuality is a key component of your overall health.
—Ximena Araya-Fischel, Forbes.com, 27 July 2025
My sexuality is very specific and connected to emotional attachment.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for sexuality
Cite this Entry
“Sexuality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sexuality. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.
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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