homosexuality

American  

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

noun

Sometimes Disparaging and Offensive.

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

Etymology

Origin of homosexuality

First recorded in 1890–95; homo- + sexuality

Example Sentences

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

He was open about being gay, even when homosexuality was outlawed in Britain.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 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

What interested him was politics, literature and exploring his homosexuality.

From BBC • Jun. 12, 2026

The funny part of it is we went to high school together for four years, and yet we never talked about homosexuality.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove