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
In 2020, fans also said goodbye to Naya Rivera, who played cheerleader turned lesbian icon Santana on the series. — Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 25 July 2026 But the administration has kept most commemorations of lesbian, gay, and bisexual Americans while removing commemoration of trans rights, as seen in its reboot of the Stonewall monument. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 10 July 2026
Noun
Perrin, who is a lesbian, immediately saw an opportunity to make the most of the messy conditions. — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026 But instead, Allie’s Black roommate (Quintessa Swindell) appears only to register as a lesbian visually… before eventually exiting the plot and babysitting the child next door. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 Aug. 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 10 Aug. 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

Nglish: Translation of lesbian for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lesbian

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