lesbian

American  

[lez-bee-uhn] / ˈlɛz bi ən /

noun

1. 1. a woman who is sexually or romantically attracted to other women; a gay woman.

   2. a woman who is sexually or romantically attracted exclusively to other women; a gay woman.

2. Lesbian, an inhabitant of the island of Lesbos.

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adjective

1. 1. of, relating to, or being a woman who is sexually or romantically attracted to people of her own sex or gender.

   2. of, relating to, or being a woman who is sexually or romantically attracted exclusively to people of her own sex or gender.

2. Sometimes Lesbian erotic; sensual

3. Lesbian, of or relating to Lesbos.

Lesbian ¹ British  

/ ˈlɛzbɪən /

noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Lesbos

2. the Aeolic dialect of Ancient Greek spoken in Lesbos

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adjective

1. of or relating to Lesbos

2. of or relating to the poetry of Lesbos, esp that of Sappho

lesbian ² British  

/ ˈlɛzbɪən /

noun

1. a female homosexual

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adjective

1. of or characteristic of lesbians

lesbian Cultural  

1. A homosexual woman. (See also gay.)

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Usage

What's the difference between lesbian and Sapphic? See gay ( def. ).

Other Word Forms

• lesbianism noun

Etymology

Origin of lesbian

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin Lesbi(us) “Lesbian” (from Greek Lésbios, equivalent to Lésb(os) “Lesbos” ( Lesbos ) + -ios adjective suffix) + -an; lesbian defs. 1, 3 allude to the poet Sappho of Lesbos, whose verse deals largely with her emotional relationships with other women

Example Sentences

In 2022, 20% of adults under 24 identified as lesbian, gay or bisexual, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026

California rules designed to foster a minimum number of female board members—as well as ethnic and racial minorities and lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender directors—were struck down separately.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

It even featured a compelling storyline about Max, a Black non-binary lesbian who finds chosen family through their trans uncle’s underground soirees.

From Salon • Feb. 13, 2026

Character Zoe Gutierrez’s identity plays an important role in the book, as she is written as a half-Mexican and half-Jewish lesbian.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 29, 2026

And Ellis, who says things like lesbian luncheon.

From "Ask the Passengers" by A.S. King