gender identity

American  

noun

1. a person's inner sense of being male, female, or another gender, usually developed during early childhood as a result of parental rearing practices and societal influences and strengthened during puberty by hormonal changes.

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Sensitive Note

One's gender identity may continue to evolve over time and may diverge from the male/female gender division. See the usage note at gender ¹ .

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

gender identity

The researchers say this suggests that gender identity was recognized from an early stage of life and was reflected in burial practices.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 27, 2026

Asheville has backed reparations for slavery, protested Immigration and Customs Enforcement and banned discrimination based on gender identity.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 17, 2026

Virginia, Ginsburg’s opinion for the court explaining the Constitution’s guarantees against sex discrimination—which judges apply in cases of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity as well.

From Slate ● Aug. 7, 2026

But I’m not talking about my gender identity.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 22, 2026

He paid attention to the way I coughed, laughed, scratched my head, spoke; in sum, all the external manifestations of what he called my gender identity.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides