heterosexuality

American  

[het-er-uh-sek-shoo-al-i-tee, -seks-yoo-] / ˌhɛt ər əˌsɛk ʃuˈæl ɪ ti, -ˌsɛks yu- /

noun

1. sexual desire or behavior directed toward people of the other binary gender.

2. the state of being sexually attracted only to the other binary gender.

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heterosexuality Cultural  

1. Sexual attraction between a male and a female. (Compare bisexuality and homosexuality.)

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Etymology

Origin of heterosexuality

First recorded in 1895–1900; hetero- + sexuality

Example Sentences

The concept of “compulsory heterosexuality” was coined in 1980 by lesbian theorist Adrienne Rich, to describe how women were pushed to sleep only with men, whether they wanted to or not.

From Salon

“Being LGBTQ, having those labels, does not remove your stupidity, just like heterosexuality does not remove your stupidity,” she told Vanity Fair.

From Los Angeles Times

But this book isn’t interested in gender, or heterosexuality.

From Los Angeles Times

It created space for women to ask the question: Why should they sacrifice their happiness to save the institution of heterosexuality?

From Salon

He likes what he likes, and if you think his taste is weird, he finds conventional heterosexuality to be even weirder.

From Los Angeles Times