sexual orientation
Americannoun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of sexual orientation
First recorded in 1990–95
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
There were three routes to asylum for someone in his situation: as someone who faced persecution for their sexual orientation, their religious beliefs or their political views.
From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026
They didn’t track representation based on gender, sexual orientation or Asian origin.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026
Department of Housing and Urban Development has for years interpreted the law as banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026
No matter what race we are, what ethnic background, sexual orientation, or what views we may have, we are all human.
From "The Freedom Writers Diary" by The Freedom Writers
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.