gender identity

American  

noun

1. a person's inner sense of being male, female, or another gender, usually developed during early childhood as a result of parental rearing practices and societal influences and strengthened during puberty by hormonal changes.

---

Sensitive Note

One's gender identity may continue to evolve over time and may diverge from the male/female gender division. See the usage note at gender ¹ .

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

gender identity

Citing this seminal ruling, Biden issued guidance to ensure employees and students would be allowed to use the bathroom, changing facilities, pronouns and names that align with their gender identity.

From Salon ● Jul. 15, 2026

Clayton County, which held that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act protects against employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

From Slate ● Jul. 6, 2026

But I’m not talking about my gender identity.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 22, 2026

It would ban practices which intend to change someone's sexual orientation or gender identity.

From BBC ● May 10, 2026

It is clear by this that sex of rearing, rather than genetic determinants, plays a greater role in the establishment of gender identity.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides