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

Under the country's Sex Discrimination Act, it is illegal for providers of goods or services to discriminate against another person on the ground of a person's gender identity.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

It would ban practices which intend to change someone's sexual orientation or gender identity.

From BBC • May 10, 2026

“People who struggle with their gender identity deserve compassion, sensitivity, and respect,” the lawsuit says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Das, who grew up in the eastern state of Odisha, said institutional support for understanding gender identity was already scarce.

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026

This was the thirty-five-second segment that, Luce insisted, proved out his theory that gender identity is established early on in life.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides