sex
1the male, female, or sometimes intersex division of a species, especially as differentiated with reference to the reproductive functions or physical characteristics such as genitals, XX and XY chromosomes, etc.
a label assigned to a person at birth, usually male or female and sometimes intersex, and typically based on genital configuration.: See Usage note at the current entry.
the sum of the structural and functional differences by which male, female, and sometimes intersex organisms are distinguished, or the phenomena or behavior dependent on these differences: These plants change sex depending on how much light they receive.
the sexual instinct or attraction drawing one organism toward another, or its manifestation in life and conduct: choosing a life partner based on sex.
sexual relations or activity, especially sexual intercourse: young kids learning about sex.
the genitals; genitalia: A towel was hiding his sex from view.
to ascertain the sex of or assign a sex to, especially newly-hatched chicks.
sex up, Informal.
to arouse sexually: The only intent of that show was to sex up the audience.
to increase the appeal of; to make more interesting, attractive, or exciting: I needed to sex up my résumé with bold fonts and snappy formatting.
Idioms about sex
to have sex, to engage in sexual relations, especially sexual intercourse.
Origin of sex
1usage note For sex
In practice, however, the way that a person's sex is categorized depends on several characteristics: genitals, chromosomes, hormonal profiles, and external physical features such as the development of extensive facial hair or breast tissue. These characteristics do frequently occur together. For example, the majority of people born with XX chromosomes are also born with ovaries that produce eggs, and most also go on to develop more breast tissue during puberty. Male and female, when used of sex, usually refer to people who fit more or less into these common patterns of co-occurring characteristics.
However, there are people born with physical characteristics that do not fit neatly into these categories. For example, some people have XY chromosomes, but their cells cannot respond to androgens, meaning that they may develop a vagina and more breast tissue. Others are born with gonads that do not produce either sperm or egg cells. There are also people born with chromosomes that are XXY. Such conditions may be called intersex conditions, disorders of sex development, or differences of sex development. These terms are broad labels that do not constitute a discrete third sex, but rather identify variation in physical characteristics that does not fit into the male-female binary.
Like anyone else, a person with any of these conditions may identify as a man, a woman, or any other gender. Furthermore, a person's sex characteristics may or may not influence their gender, or their relationship with their gender. See gender1, intersex.
Words that may be confused with sex
Words Nearby sex
Other definitions for sex (2 of 3)
Other definitions for sex- (3 of 3)
a combining form, occurring in loanwords from Latin, meaning “six” (sexagenary); on this model used in the formation of compound words: sexpartite.
Origin of sex-
3- Also sexi-.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use sex in a sentence
We ended up going to the swag room, where we started to have sex.
This would be weird if we were just talking about dinnertime, never mind sex.
We can’t afford a sex therapist now if you were going to suggest that.
There’s enough room to comfortably quarantine for just about everything but sex really.
It was the third weekend of August, and an anti-sex trafficking rally was about to fill the streets of Salt Lake City.
However much we gossip about heterosexual couples with large age gaps, we at least refrain from calling them sex offenders.
Freaking Out About Age Gaps in Gay Relationships Is Homophobic | Samantha Allen | January 9, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTScruff believes that sex is not the primary concern of users.
To those who agreed with him, Bush pledged that the law against same-sex marriage would remain intact.
Bush busy engaging constituents on both sides of the same-sex marriage debate ahead of the 2004 presidential election.
This week, Florida became the 36th state to allow same-sex marriage.
Are you quite sure you have never suffered from this rather common disorder, gentle reader, at least, if you be of the male sex?
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3) | Charles James WillsBut if you restrict it, to the sense in which it is commonly applied to the angelic sex, I am not prepared to answer.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4 | Jane PorterAs public accuser, he caused the death of immense numbers, of all ages and either sex.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel MunsellThat he might lose his head and 'introduce an element of sex' was conscience confessing that it had been already introduced.
The Wave | Algernon BlackwoodHe respected her courage and obvious power to rise above the personal attitude of her sex.
Ancestors | Gertrude Atherton
British Dictionary definitions for sex (1 of 2)
/ (sɛks) /
the sum of the characteristics that distinguish organisms on the basis of their reproductive function
either of the two categories, male or female, into which organisms are placed on this basis
short for sexual intercourse
feelings or behaviour resulting from the urge to gratify the sexual instinct
sexual matters in general
of or concerning sexual matters: sex education; sex hygiene
based on or arising from the difference between the sexes: sex discrimination
(tr) to ascertain the sex of
Origin of sex
1British Dictionary definitions for sex- (2 of 2)
six: sexcentennial
Origin of sex-
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for sex
[ sĕks ]
Either of two divisions, male and female, into which most sexually reproducing organisms are grouped. Sex is usually determined by anatomy, the makeup of the sex chromosomes, and the type and amount of hormones produced. When the sex of an organism is determined by the sex chromosomes, males and females are generally produced in equal numbers. In other organisms, such as bees and wasps, in which females develop from fertilized eggs and males develop from unfertilized eggs, distribution of the sexes is unequal.
a closer look
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with sex
see fair sex.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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