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

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Etymology

Origin of homosexuality

First recorded in 1890–95; homo- + sexuality

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

homosexuality

Ms. would become known for spirited, frank coverage of subjects that were typically only spoken about quietly: workplace and domestic inequalities, domestic violence, homosexuality, racism, date rape.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 3, 2026

A story written by World War Two codebreaker Alan Turing suggests he was a man with playful humour embracing his homosexuality, according to new analysis.

From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026

He flouted art-school rules and declined to hide his homosexuality in an era when many did.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 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

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