gender identity

American  

noun

1. a person's inner sense of being male, female, or another gender, usually developed during early childhood as a result of parental rearing practices and societal influences and strengthened during puberty by hormonal changes.

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Sensitive Note

One's gender identity may continue to evolve over time and may diverge from the male/female gender division. See the usage note at gender ¹ .

Example Sentences

He added material involving sex, gender, identity or other social or medical issues should be presented "in an age‑appropriate and responsible way".

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

Known as "Tickle vs Giggle", the years-long dispute is the first time a case of alleged gender identity discrimination has been heard by the Federal Court in Australia.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

All these works are overshadowed by Morris’s gender identity, which is no longer as perplexing as it was at the time.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

But on behalf of all survivors everywhere, of any gender, identity or age, let me give you some blanket answers to “Why now?”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

But that, according to Luce’s thinking, did not mean that I had a male gender identity.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides