gender binary

[ jen-der bahy-nuh-ree, ‐ner-ee ]

noun

1. a classification system consisting of two genders, male and female.
2. a concept or belief that there are only two genders and that one's sex or gender assigned at birth will align with traditional social constructs of masculine and feminine identity, expression, and sexuality. ​

Word History and Origins

Origin of gender binary¹

First recorded in 1980–90

Example Sentences

There was a lot of positive feedback from people interested in non-gender binary people.

From The Daily Beast

Consider, for example, the perspectives of many transgender Jews and of Jews who do not subscribe to the gender binary.

From The Daily Beast