homosexuality

American  

[hoh-muh-sek-shoo-al-i-tee, -seks-yoo-] / ˌhoʊ məˌsɛk ʃuˈæl ɪ ti, -ˌsɛks ju- /

noun

Sometimes Disparaging and Offensive.

homosexualities plural

1. sexual desire or behavior directed toward people of one's own sex or gender.

2. the state of being sexually attracted only to people of one's own sex or gender.

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homosexuality British  

/ ˌhɒm-, ˌhəʊməʊˌsɛksjʊˈælɪtɪ /

noun

1. sexual attraction to or sexual relations with members of the same sex Compare heterosexuality

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homosexuality Cultural  

1. A sexual attraction between persons of the same sex. (See gay and lesbian; compare heterosexuality.)

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Usage

Is “homosexuality” offensive? See homosexual.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• antihomosexuality
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• homosexualities
  plural

Etymology

Origin of homosexuality

First recorded in 1890–95; homo- + sexuality

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

homosexuality

"He was really pioneering as somebody who was unashamedly proud of his queerness before the legalisation of homosexuality in '67," says Dominic James Bilton, the co-leader of the Queer British Art Network.

From BBC ● Jun. 13, 2026

He flouted art-school rules and declined to hide his homosexuality in an era when many did.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2026

His fantasy of California as a place much more accepting of homosexuality than England originally inspired Hockney to visit L.A. for the first time in 1964.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 12, 2026

As homosexuality was still illegal, these paintings also defended a way of life.

From BBC ● Jun. 12, 2026

While I don’t suppose that anyone who has devoted much energy to the study of Classics can be very much disturbed by homosexuality, neither am I particularly comfortable with it as it concerns me directly.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt