definitions

Lesbian

[ lez-bee-uh n ]
/ ˈlɛz bi ən /
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR Lesbian ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

of or relating to Lesbos.
(usually lowercase) of, relating to, or characteristic of female homosexuality.
(usually lowercase) erotic; sensual.

noun

an inhabitant of Lesbos.
(usually lowercase) a female homosexual.

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RELATED WORDS

homosexual, homoerotic, homophile, Sapphic

Origin of Lesbian

1595–1605; < Latin Lesbi(us) Lesbian (< Greek Lésbios, equivalent to Lésb(os) Lesbos + -ios adj. suffix) + -an; (defs 2, 5) alluding to the poet Sappho of Lesbos, whose verse deals largely with her emotional relationships with other women
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for lesbian

British Dictionary definitions for lesbian (1 of 2)

lesbian

/ (ˈlɛzbɪən) /

noun

a female homosexual

adjective

of or characteristic of lesbians

Derived Forms

lesbianism, noun

Word Origin for lesbian

C19: from the homosexuality attributed to Sappho

British Dictionary definitions for lesbian (2 of 2)

Lesbian

/ (ˈlɛzbɪən) /

noun

a native or inhabitant of Lesbos
the Aeolic dialect of Ancient Greek spoken in Lesbos

adjective

of or relating to Lesbos
of or relating to the poetry of Lesbos, esp that of Sappho
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for lesbian

lesbian

[ lĕz′bē-ə-n ]

n.

A woman whose sexual orientation is to other women.

adj.

Relating to or being a lesbian.

Related forms

les′bi•an•ism n.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Culture definitions for lesbian

lesbian

A homosexual woman. (See also gay.)

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.