homosexuality

American  

[hoh-muh-sek-shoo-al-i-tee, -seks-yoo-] / ˌhoʊ məˌsɛk ʃuˈæl ɪ ti, -ˌsɛks ju- /

noun

Sometimes Disparaging and Offensive.

• homosexualities
  plural

1. sexual desire or behavior directed toward people of one's own sex or gender.

2. the state of being sexually attracted only to people of one's own sex or gender.

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homosexuality British  

/ ˌhəʊməʊˌsɛksjʊˈælɪtɪ, ˌhɒm- /

noun

1. sexual attraction to or sexual relations with members of the same sex Compare heterosexuality

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homosexuality Cultural  

1. A sexual attraction between persons of the same sex. (See gay and lesbian; compare heterosexuality.)

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Usage

Is “homosexuality” offensive? See homosexual.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• antihomosexuality
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• homosexualities
  plural

Etymology

Origin of homosexuality

First recorded in 1890–95; homo- + sexuality

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

homosexuality

Finally, in 1952, when Wilde is 97, Prime Minister Winston Churchill visits to inform him that a cross-party alliance in Parliament intends to bring in a bill to decriminalize homosexuality.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026

On cases involving abortion and homosexuality in particular, he was given to what Scalia in dissent once called “showy profundities” that “are often profoundly incoherent.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026

Despite complaints from Iran and Egypt, countries where homosexuality is illegal, the event will still take place.

From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2026

He was open about being gay, even when homosexuality was outlawed in Britain.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 12, 2026

While I don’t suppose that anyone who has devoted much energy to the study of Classics can be very much disturbed by homosexuality, neither am I particularly comfortable with it as it concerns me directly.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt