lesbianism

noun

les·​bi·​an·​ism ˈlez-bē-ə-ˌni-zəm How to pronounce lesbianism (audio)
: romantic or sexual attraction between women

Examples of lesbianism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
And what better way to step into lesbianism than to have a toxic love story? — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2025 Adultery was not a crime in England in 1928, and lesbianism never had been. — Louis Menand, New Yorker, 1 June 2026 And not her judgmental mother who never accepted her lesbianism. — Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 3 Nov. 2025 Her mother decided that her daughter’s lesbianism was only an adolescent phase. — Nicole Flattery, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lesbianism

Word History

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lesbianism was in 1870

Browse Nearby Words

lesbian
lesbianism
Lesbos
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lesbianism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lesbianism. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

lesbianism

noun
les·​bi·​an·​ism ˈlez-bē-ə-ˌniz-əm How to pronounce lesbianism (audio)
: romantic or sexual attraction between women

More from Merriam-Webster on lesbianism

Nglish: Translation of lesbianism for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lesbianism

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