heterosexuality

[het-er-uh-sek-shoo-al-i-tee, -seks-yoo-]

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.

heterosexuality

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of heterosexuality¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; hetero- + sexuality

Example Sentences

Honey is immune to his sales pitches for heterosexuality and holy salvation.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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.

Read more on Salon

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

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The model of heterosexuality pushed from every corner by conservative media looks oppressive for women and frankly kind of sad for men.

Read more on Salon