gender identity

noun

: a person's internal sense of being male, female, some combination of male and female, or neither male nor female
Facebook provides more than 50 options beyond "male" and "female" for users to describe their gender identity, from "gender questioning" and "neither" to "androgynous."—The Chicago Tribune

Examples of gender identity in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Goodwin, its president, credits a pandemic-era mistrust of public education, when debates ignited over school closures, books, race, sexuality and gender identity. — ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026 The pamphlet includes information on topics ranging from gender identity to what students can do if their parents do not support them. — Brian New, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026 Prison officials also allowed inmates to dress in ways consistent with their gender identity. — Julian Mark, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026 Four states will consider measures that would prohibit transgender youth from participating on school athletics teams aligned with their gender identity, including two with existing bans that the latest proposals would bolster. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gender identity

Word History

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gender identity was in 1964

Rhymes for gender identity

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Browse Nearby Words

gender identification
gender identity
gender identity disorder
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Cite this Entry

“Gender identity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gender%20identity. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

gender identity

noun
: a person's internal sense of being male, female, some combination of male and female, or neither male nor female

Medical Definition

gender identity

noun
: a person's internal sense of being male, female, some combination of male and female, or neither male or female
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