sexism

American  

[sek-siz-uhm] / ˈsɛk sɪz əm /

noun

1. attitudes or behavior based on traditional stereotypes of gender roles: Her husband saw their home life through a lens of sexism, and never once offered to help with the housework or the kids.

   the underlying sexism in the marketing of dolls to girls and trucks to boys;

   Her husband saw their home life through a lens of sexism, and never once offered to help with the housework or the kids.

2. discrimination or devaluation based on a person's sex or gender, as in restricted job opportunities, especially such discrimination directed against women.

   The investigation found that women face a culture of hostility and sexism.

3. ingrained and institutionalized prejudice against women.

   The idea that women are inferior to men is sexism at its purest.

4. hatred, dislike, or mistrust of women; misogyny.

---

sexism British  

/ ˈsɛksɪzəm /

noun

1. discrimination on the basis of sex, esp the oppression of women by men

---

sexism ¹ Cultural  

1. The belief that one sex (usually the male) is naturally superior to the other and should dominate most important areas of political, economic, and social life. Sexist discrimination in the United States in the past has denied opportunities to women in many spheres of activity. Many allege that it still does. (See also affirmative action, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, glass ceiling, and National Organization for Women.)

---

sexism ² Cultural  

1. The belief that one sex (usually the male) is naturally superior to the other and should dominate most important areas of political, economic, and social life.

---

Other Word Forms

• antisexism noun
• sexist noun

Etymology

Origin of sexism

First recorded in 1965–70; sex ¹ ( def. ) + -ism, on the model of racism

Explanation

Sexism means discrimination against people because of their sex: anything unfair to males or females, just because they're males or females, is an example of sexism. Sexism is one of those things that has always existed, and probably always will exist, but does seem to get a little better with time. When women couldn't vote, that was blatant sexism. When women are paid less than men for the same work, that's sexism. In school, when teachers call on boys more than girls, many people think that is an example of sexism. Sexism is similar to racism; they are both types of discrimination.

Example Sentences

Wrack said teachers need professional training to help them "identify, challenge, and safely de-escalate behaviour rooted in online radicalisation, sexism, and hate."

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

Despite the rise in reports of sexism at football matches, steps are being taken.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

She turned her attention toward two of her most deeply held interests, which had sharpened in focus after the Palisades fire: community-oriented work, and the pervasive problem of sexism in American culture.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 27, 2026

Packer also often underscored contemporary tensions mirrored in the plays: sexism, racism, antisemitism, violence.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

“What if we have a school-wide discussion on diversity? We could show our videos and discuss issues like racism, sexism, and homophobia related to current events, like the Black Lives Matter movement or celebrating Pride.”

From "Finding Junie Kim" by Ellen Oh

Related Words

• bias
• bigotry
• chauvinism
• inequality
• inequity
• prejudice