sex
1the male, female, or sometimes intersex division of a species, especially as differentiated with reference to the reproductive functions or physical characteristics such as genitals, XX and XY chromosomes, etc.
a label assigned to a person at birth, usually male or female and sometimes intersex, and typically based on genital configuration.: See Usage note at the current entry.
the sum of the structural and functional differences by which male, female, and sometimes intersex organisms are distinguished, or the phenomena or behavior dependent on these differences: These plants change sex depending on how much light they receive.
sexual relations or activity, especially sexual intercourse: We hold a large collection of oral histories that explore changing attitudes to sex and marriage.
the sexual instinct or attraction drawing one organism toward another, or its manifestation in life and conduct: Some disapprove of choosing a life partner based on sex.
the genitals; genitalia: A towel was hiding his sex from view.
to ascertain the sex of or assign a sex to, especially newly-hatched chicks.
sex up, Informal.
to arouse sexually: The only intent of that show was to sex up the audience.
to increase the appeal of; to make more interesting, attractive, or exciting: I needed to sex up my resume with bold fonts and snappy formatting.
Idioms about sex
to have sex, to engage in sexual relations, especially sexual intercourse.
Origin of sex
1usage note For sex
In practice, however, the way that a person's sex is categorized depends on several characteristics: genitals, chromosomes, hormonal profiles, and external physical features such as the development of extensive facial hair or breast tissue. These characteristics do frequently occur together. For example, the majority of people born with XX chromosomes are also born with ovaries that produce eggs, and most also go on to develop more breast tissue during puberty. Male and female, when used of sex, usually refer to people who fit more or less into these common patterns of co-occurring characteristics.
However, there are people born with physical characteristics that do not fit neatly into these categories. For example, some people have XY chromosomes, but their cells cannot respond to androgens, meaning that they may develop a vagina and more breast tissue. Others are born with gonads that do not produce either sperm or egg cells. There are also people born with chromosomes that are XXY. Such conditions may be called intersex conditions, disorders of sex development, or differences of sex development. These terms are broad labels that do not constitute a discrete third sex, but rather identify variation in physical characteristics that does not fit into the male-female binary.
Like anyone else, a person with any of these conditions may identify as a man, a woman, or any other gender. Furthermore, a person's sex characteristics may or may not influence their gender, or their relationship with their gender. See gender1, intersex.
Words that may be confused with sex
Other definitions for sex (2 of 3)
Other definitions for sex- (3 of 3)
a combining form, occurring in loanwords from Latin, meaning “six” (sexagenary); on this model used in the formation of compound words: sexpartite.
Origin of sex-
3- Also sexi-.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use sex in a sentence
Ken Page, dating expert and psychotherapist Then there’s the fun side, with apps like Kindu, which offers more than 1,000 sex ideas and even a record of your bedroom “achievements.”
We all come to share freely, but there’s come to be a perception that one of our group routinely shows up with the least attractive co-participant and proceeds to have sex with not who he brought but much better-looking women.
It contrasts with Freud’s theory of life instincts, which push us toward sex, cooperation, and survival.
For now, she’s gone Hollywood, where sex scandals are less of a liability.
Cal Cunningham lost. Katie Hill resigned. Are we still put off by sex scandals? | Lisa Bonos | November 12, 2020 | Washington PostFederal prosecutors in Alexandria have also recently charged local MS-13 members with sex-trafficking a 13-year-old girl and an El Salvador-based gang leader with terrorism.
Three accused of MS-13 gang-related violence in Virginia | Rachel Weiner | November 11, 2020 | Washington Post
In my novel Sexing the Cherry (1989) I invented a character called the Dog Woman; a giantess who lives on the River Thames.
Only Six Books: Excerpt From Jeanette Winterson’s New Memoir | Jeanette Winterson | March 7, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
British Dictionary definitions for sex (1 of 2)
/ (sɛks) /
the sum of the characteristics that distinguish organisms on the basis of their reproductive function
either of the two categories, male or female, into which organisms are placed on this basis
short for sexual intercourse
feelings or behaviour resulting from the urge to gratify the sexual instinct
sexual matters in general
of or concerning sexual matters: sex education; sex hygiene
based on or arising from the difference between the sexes: sex discrimination
(tr) to ascertain the sex of
Origin of sex
1British Dictionary definitions for sex- (2 of 2)
six: sexcentennial
Origin of sex-
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for sex
[ sĕks ]
Either of two divisions, male and female, into which most sexually reproducing organisms are grouped. Sex is usually determined by anatomy, the makeup of the sex chromosomes, and the type and amount of hormones produced. When the sex of an organism is determined by the sex chromosomes, males and females are generally produced in equal numbers. In other organisms, such as bees and wasps, in which females develop from fertilized eggs and males develop from unfertilized eggs, distribution of the sexes is unequal.
a closer look
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with sex
see fair sex.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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