sexual orientation

[sek-shoo-uhl awr-ee-uhn-tey-shuhn, ‐en‐]

noun

1. one's inherent attraction to a sexual partner of a certain gender, or the absence of gender preference in a sexual relationship; one’s identity as asexual, bisexual, heterosexual, gay, pansexual, etc.

sexual orientation

1. Preference for sexual activity with people of the opposite sex, the same sex, or both. (See bisexuality, heterosexuality, and homosexuality.)

Word History and Origins

Origin of sexual orientation¹

First recorded in 1990–95