sexual orientation

American  

[sek-shoo-uhl awr-ee-uhn-tey-shuhn, ‐en‐] / ˈsɛk ʃu əl ˌɔr i ənˈteɪ ʃən, ‐ɛn‐ /

noun

1. one's inherent attraction to a sexual partner of a certain gender, or the absence of gender preference in a sexual relationship; one’s identity as asexual, bisexual, heterosexual, gay, pansexual, etc.

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sexual orientation Cultural  

1. Preference for sexual activity with people of the opposite sex, the same sex, or both. (See bisexuality, heterosexuality, and homosexuality.)

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Etymology

Origin of sexual orientation

First recorded in 1990–95

Example Sentences

Sexual orientation can be another point of concordance.

From Washington Post • Dec. 10, 2021

Sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression will be explicitly added to the city’s fair housing ordinance.

From Washington Times • Mar. 24, 2021

Sexual orientation has several components, including behaviour, identity, attraction and arousal.

From The Guardian • Feb. 11, 2019

Sexual orientation, it said, is “an immutable characteristic that is resistant to change”—rebutting a widespread view across Asia that homosexuality is a curable disease.

From Economist • Jun. 22, 2017

"Sexual orientation and gender identity are not the same thing."

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2015