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.

---

homosexuality British  

/ ˌhɒm-, ˌhəʊməʊˌsɛksjʊˈælɪtɪ /

noun

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

---

homosexuality Cultural  

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

---

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

But Hockney's joyful work always "comes with a bite", he adds, whether the artist was depicting gay love at a time when homosexuality was still illegal, or exploring "how we've lost our connection with nature".

From BBC ● Jun. 13, 2026

David, the American narrator of this groundbreaking novel by James Baldwin, has come to Paris hoping to elude his homosexuality.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 10, 2026

Likewise, at a time when homosexuality was charged as a crime and classified as a mental illness, plenty of men who loved men married women, and plenty of women who loved women married men.

From Salon ● Jun. 3, 2026

At one point, Bonnie objects when Calvin compares his situation to that of homosexuality, but the conversation ends there.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 21, 2026

And then you hear about parents who are totally fine with homosexuality, but can't handle it when their own kid comes out.

From "Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda" by Becky Albertalli