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
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.
Adjective
Researchers have used this tool, known as a feeling thermometer, for decades to measure how Americans feel about different groups, including people of color, gay and lesbian people and members of the opposite political party. — Jesse Rhodes, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026 Enough of the lesbian leaque and who wnba management listen to. — Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Noun
Chan made history as Sports Illustrated Swimsuit’s first openly lesbian and person of Chinese descent to grace its cover in 2025. — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026 Hosted at the Bush, a Brooklyn lesbian bar Shimizu had been infamously bartending at, the first event drew close to 600 attendees. — Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lesbian

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

Browse Nearby Words

Lesage
lesbian
lesbianism
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lesbian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lesbian. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lesbian

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