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• lesbian
  lesbian
• Lesbian
  Lesbian

  noun

  a native or inhabitant of Lesbos

lesbian

American  

[lez-bee-uhn] / ˈlɛz bi ən /

noun

• lesbians
  plural

1. 1. a woman who is sexually or romantically attracted to other women; a gay woman.

   2. a woman who is sexually or romantically attracted exclusively to other women; a gay woman.

2. Lesbian, an inhabitant of the island of Lesbos.

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adjective

1. 1. of, relating to, or being a woman who is sexually or romantically attracted to people of her own sex or gender.

   2. of, relating to, or being a woman who is sexually or romantically attracted exclusively to people of her own sex or gender.

2. Sometimes Lesbian erotic; sensual

3. Lesbian, of or relating to Lesbos.

Lesbian ¹ British  

/ ˈlɛzbɪən /

noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Lesbos

2. the Aeolic dialect of Ancient Greek spoken in Lesbos

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adjective

1. of or relating to Lesbos

2. of or relating to the poetry of Lesbos, esp that of Sappho

lesbian ² British  

/ ˈlɛzbɪən /

noun

1. a female homosexual

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adjective

1. of or characteristic of lesbians

lesbian Cultural  

1. A homosexual woman. (See also gay.)

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Usage

What's the difference between lesbian and Sapphic? See gay ( def. ).

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• lesbianism
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• lesbians
  plural

Etymology

Origin of lesbian

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin Lesbi(us) “Lesbian” (from Greek Lésbios, equivalent to Lésb(os) “Lesbos” ( see Lesbos) + -ios adjective suffix) + -an; lesbian defs. 1, 3 allude to the poet Sappho of Lesbos, whose verse deals largely with her emotional relationships with other women

Explanation

A lesbian is a woman who is attracted to other women. Two married women are in a lesbian relationship. This is a word for women who are homosexual. Though homosexual women are often called gay, it's more common to call them lesbians. Lesbians are sexually attracted to other women. You can also use this word as an adjective. For example, a gay female director is a lesbian film maker. There could also be a book of lesbian fiction. This word comes from the name of the island of Lesbos, whose famous poet Sappho was believed to be a lesbian.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lesbian Lesbian lesbians

To the best of their knowledge, they are the only openly lesbian and gay direct descendants of Jefferson and Hemings.

From Salon ● Jul. 27, 2026

Six years ago, the transgender-rights movement won a landmark victory when the high court ruled that the Civil Rights Act’s prohibition on sex discrimination in the workplace extends to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026

Amanda Nunes, the greatest female MMA fighter of all time, is an out lesbian from Brazil.

From Slate ● Jun. 14, 2026

Knowing someone — or of someone — who is gay or lesbian has long tended to dispel falsehoods and quell fears that might exist.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 7, 2026

I realized I was a lesbian just recently, when my best friend told me that she loved me and I returned her love.

From "The Freedom Writers Diary" by The Freedom Writers

Joyce sat down with Kate Kendell, the brilliant executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, based in San Francisco.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 24, 2026

It’s apparently an acronym for Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, with the + covering anybody who feels left out.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 17, 2025

Years later, such movements would also influence the development of the Black Lives Matter, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer movements and the National Domestic Worker Alliance.

From Salon ● Apr. 18, 2025

Lesbian groups - protected under "sexual orientation" in the 2010 Act - also say it could affect their ability to have exclusive clubs.

From BBC ● Nov. 25, 2024

When the Lesbian and her girl friend saw me, they helped me to a bed; I fell across it and passed out.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey

In the past year, performative masc competitions have appeared across the country, with lesbians — hair slicked back and carabiners dangling from their Carhartt jeans — showing off in front of leering crowds.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 2, 2026

Modern lesbians could only hope to be so fortunate.

From Salon ● Feb. 13, 2026

The Reiners approached screenwriter Dustin Lance Black after he spoke in support of equal rights for gay people and lesbians in his 2009 Academy Award acceptance speech for “Milk.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 17, 2025

Although Britain began decriminalising homosexuality for men in 1967, a ban on gay men, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people serving in the military lasted until 2000.

From Barron's ● Oct. 27, 2025

Eventually I lose myself a little in his life, dancing along with Austin, William, Nicolas, and a few hundred other gays and lesbians when the parade organizers blast the Village People’s “In the Navy.”

From "Every Day" by David Levithan