heterosexuality

[het-er-uh-sek-shoo-al-i-tee, -seks-yoo-]

noun

1. sexual desire or behavior directed toward people of the other binary gender.

2. the state of being sexually attracted only to the other binary gender.

heterosexuality

1. Sexual attraction between a male and a female. (Compare bisexuality and homosexuality.)

Word History and Origins

Origin of heterosexuality¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; hetero- + sexuality

Example Sentences

Honey is immune to his sales pitches for heterosexuality and holy salvation.

From Los Angeles Times

The concept of “compulsory heterosexuality” was coined in 1980 by lesbian theorist Adrienne Rich, to describe how women were pushed to sleep only with men, whether they wanted to or not.

From Salon

“Being LGBTQ, having those labels, does not remove your stupidity, just like heterosexuality does not remove your stupidity,” she told Vanity Fair.

From Los Angeles Times

But this book isn’t interested in gender, or heterosexuality.

From Los Angeles Times

It created space for women to ask the question: Why should they sacrifice their happiness to save the institution of heterosexuality?

From Salon