lesbianism

American  

[lez-bee-uh-niz-uhm] / ˈlɛz bi əˌnɪz əm /

noun

1. female sexual desire or behavior directed toward people of the same sex or gender; gay female sexual orientation.

2. (of a woman) the state of being sexually attracted only to people of the same sex or gender.

---

Etymology

Origin of lesbianism

First recorded in 1865–70; lesbian + -ism

Example Sentences

Some Gen-Z lesbians have gushed that they are “so feral” over the 24-year-old actor, while others joked that they would hide all evidence of their lesbianism if they met Hudson in real life.

From Salon • Feb. 13, 2026

Hansberry also was a Black, queer woman — although it wasn’t until later in her life that she began to explore her lesbianism.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 22, 2020

At that point in my life, I was coping with my own closeted lesbianism by pretending homosexuality did not exist.

From New York Times • Aug. 6, 2020

There’s nothing inherently contradictory about your wife’s lesbianism and the fact that she’s committed to a nonromantic partnership with her best friend.

From Slate • Oct. 21, 2019

However, since the publication of the Foster book, many new novels of lesbianism have been published, and the diligent search of many collectors, working with the Checklist editors, has brought many old ones to light.

From Checklist A complete, cumulative Checklist of lesbian, variant and homosexual fiction, in English or available in English translation, with supplements of related material, for the use of collectors, students and librarians. by Bradley, Marion Zimmer