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  

/ ˌhəʊməʊˌsɛksjʊˈælɪtɪ, ˌhɒm- /

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

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Etymology

Origin of homosexuality

First recorded in 1890–95; homo- + sexuality

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

homosexuality

Ms. would become known for spirited, frank coverage of subjects that were typically only spoken about quietly: workplace and domestic inequalities, domestic violence, homosexuality, racism, date rape.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 3, 2026

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

From BBC ● Jun. 12, 2026

It was only a few weeks before his death in August 1967 that homosexuality was partially decriminalized in England.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 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

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

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