het·ero·sex·u·al
ˌhe-tə-rō-ˈsek-sh(ə-)wəl 
-ˈsek-shəl
1
a
: of, relating to, or characterized by sexual or romantic attraction to or between people of the opposite sex
heterosexual men/women
a heterosexual couple
b
: of, relating to, or involving sexual activity between individuals of the opposite sex
2
: of or relating to different sexes
plural heterosexuals
: a person who is sexually or romantically attracted to people of the opposite sex : a heterosexual person
Examples of heterosexual in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 26 Dec. 2024
And rich, married, and heterosexual people tend to have the easiest access.
—Kristen V. Brown, The Atlantic, 26 Sep. 2024
Ian Randall, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024
Try it for the next year or so: Stop being a heterosexual to demonstrate to your son that a person’s sexuality is a matter of choice – to be dictated by one’s parents, the parents’ church and social pressure.
—Amy Dickinson, Sun Sentinel, 26 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for heterosexual 
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Adjective
Babygirl is about the various forms of power that shape the interpersonal — and how that power is cultivated, maintained, and wielded, particularly within the bounds of heterosexual relations.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 26 Dec. 2024
And rich, married, and heterosexual people tend to have the easiest access.
—Kristen V. Brown, The Atlantic, 26 Sep. 2024
Noun
The participants were mainly white, married, educated, English-speaking heterosexuals and therefore do not fully reflect the population.
—Ian Randall, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024
Try it for the next year or so: Stop being a heterosexual to demonstrate to your son that a person’s sexuality is a matter of choice – to be dictated by one’s parents, the parents’ church and social pressure.
—Amy Dickinson, Sun Sentinel, 26 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for heterosexual
Dictionary Entries Near heterosexual
Cite this Entry
“Heterosexual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heterosexual. Accessed 8 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
heterosexual
1 of 2 adjective
het·ero·sex·u·al
ˌhet-ə-rō-ˈseksh-(ə-)wəl
-ˈsek-shəl
: of, relating to, or marked by sexual or romantic attraction to people of the opposite sex
heterosexual
2 of 2 noun
: a heterosexual individual
Medical Definition
heterosexual
1 of 2 adjective
het·ero·sex·u·al
ˌhet-ə-rō-ˈseksh-(ə-)wəl, -ˈsek-shəl
1
a
: of, relating to, or characterized by sexual or romantic attraction to or between individuals of the opposite sex
b
: of, relating to, or involving sexual activity between individuals of the opposite sex
sexual relationships between individuals of opposite sexes are heterosexual—A. C. Kinsey
A. C. Kinsey2
: of or relating to different sexes
heterosexual
2 of 2 noun
: a person who is sexually or romantically attracted to people of the opposite sex : a heterosexual individual
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