sex change

[ seks cheynj ]

noun

1. (no longer in common use; now often considered offensive) See sex reassignment surgery ( def ).

sex change

noun

1. 1. a change in a person's physical sexual characteristics to those of the opposite sex, often achieved by surgery
   2. ( as modifier )

      a sex-change operation

Sensitive Note

See sex reassignment surgery.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sex change¹

First recorded in 1920–25 (in reference to hermaphrodite organisms that can change their sex); 1960–65 for current sense

Example Sentences

I will aggressively defend Arkansas’ law, which strongly limits permanent, life-altering sex changes to adolescents.

From Washington Blade

The NSFW video shows Silverman solving the gender pay gap by “becoming a dude” and getting a sex change.

From The Daily Beast

Al was robbing the bank so he could afford a sex-change operation for the guy.

From The Daily Beast

Sarne persevered, editing his sex-change opus right up to premiere night, June 24.

From The Daily Beast

So there I was, wondering, What can I tell David McCullough about my work without having to explain the whole sex-change thing?

From The Daily Beast

I researched everything I could about a “sex change” in the early 1970s.

From The Daily Beast