bisexuality

American  

[bahy-sek-shoo-al-i-tee, -seks-yoo-] / ˌbaɪ sɛk ʃuˈæl ɪ ti, -sɛks yu- /

noun

1. sexual desire or behavior directed toward people of more than one gender, sometimes understood to include attraction to one's own sex or gender and at least one other sex or gender.

2. the state of being sexually attracted to people of more than one gender, sometimes understood to include attraction to one's own sex or gender and at least one other sex or gender.

3. Biology.

   1. (of a species) having two distinct sexes.

      In these plants, bisexuality recently evolved from an ancestral unisexual condition.

   2. having both male and female sexual organs present in one individual.

      Bisexuality occurs in about 50% of the red sea bream's juvenile population.

---

bisexuality Cultural  

1. Sexual activity with, or sexual attraction to, members of both sexes.

---

Usage

Does bisexuality involve attraction to only two genders? See bisexual.

Etymology

Origin of bisexuality

First recorded in 1840–50 bisexuality for def. 3, and in 1890–95 bisexuality for defs. 1, 2; bi- ¹ ( def. ) + sexuality ( def. ); from German Bisexualität bisexuality for defs. 1, 2

Example Sentences

"Bisexuality is a real identity, it's not being half gay, half straight."

From BBC • Oct. 5, 2022

They filed the brief the day it was due, Sept. 21, midway through Bisexuality Awareness Week.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 27, 2022

Bisexuality has varying definitions, some of which stick to the male/female binary and others that are more gender-inclusive.

From Slate • Feb. 26, 2020

Bisexuality is something with so many misconceptions around it already.

From The Guardian • Dec. 7, 2018

Bisexuality preceded monosexuality in the animal pedigree, and co-exists with it even at the highest points of the genealogical tree.

From The Glands Regulating Personality by Berman, Louis, M.D.