lesbian

1 of 2

adjective

les·​bi·​an ˈlez-bē-ən How to pronounce lesbian (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or characterized by sexual or romantic attraction to other women or between women
gay and lesbian veterans
a lesbian relationship
2
Lesbian : of or relating to Lesbos

lesbian

2 of 2

noun

plural lesbians
: a woman who is sexually or romantically attracted to other women : a gay woman
lesbians and gay men

Examples of lesbian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The juicy vibes of the new San Francisco lesbian bar, Mother, would like to drink — and feel — otherwise. Scott Hocker, theweek, 25 Sep. 2024 Homosexuality was defined as a mental illness, which prevented gay and lesbian Americans from obtaining federal employment, serving in the military, or securing custody of their children. Marie-Amélie George / Made By History, TIME, 20 Sep. 2024
Noun
Conversely, the former president seldom mentions gay, lesbian and bisexual Americans in his stump speeches. Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 26 Sep. 2024 While creating safe physical spaces made explicitly for Latina lesbians and other sapphics is important, the main goal is to come together to strengthen community via compassion and acceptance — leaving behind transphobia and identity policing. Sofia Viera, refinery29.com, 24 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lesbian 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lesbian.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

(sense 1) from association with the ardent poetry written by Sappho of Lesbos (c. 610-c. 580 b.c.) to and about other women in the female religious and educational community she led

First Known Use

Adjective

1559, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1732, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lesbian was in 1559

Dictionary Entries Near lesbian

Cite this Entry

“Lesbian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lesbian. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

lesbian

noun
les·​bi·​an
ˈlez-bē-ən
: a gay woman
lesbian adjective
lesbianism
-bē-ə-ˌniz-əm
noun

Medical Definition

lesbian

1 of 2 adjective
les·​bi·​an ˈlez-bē-ən How to pronounce lesbian (audio)
: of, relating to, or characterized by sexual or romantic attraction to other women or between women
gay and lesbian adults
a lesbian relationship

lesbian

2 of 2 noun
: a woman who is sexually or romantically attracted to other women : a gay woman

More from Merriam-Webster on lesbian

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