Definition

1. Noun:
   • A sexual orientation characterized by a primary or exclusive romantic and/or sexual attraction to persons of one's own sex or gender. This is the core definition, focusing on the pattern of attraction.
   • The state or condition of being homosexual. This refers to the identity or characteristic itself.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The study explored societal attitudes toward homosexuality.
  • He was open about his homosexuality from a young age.
  • The law criminalized homosexuality for many decades.

Advanced Usage

• Clinical/Historical Context: In older psychological and medical texts, "homosexuality" was sometimes classified as a disorder or pathology. Modern scientific consensus, as reflected by major health organizations, does not classify it as such.
  • The diagnostic manual no longer lists homosexuality as a mental illness.
• In academic discourse: The term is often used in sociology, psychology, and gender studies to discuss identity, community, and social structures.
  • Her research focuses on the history of homosexuality in the 20th century.

Variants and Related Words

• Homosexual (adj/n): Pertaining to or characterized by homosexuality; a person who experiences homosexuality.
  • Homosexual relationships have gained legal recognition in many countries.
• Homosexual (n): (Can be used as a noun, though many prefer terms like "gay man" or "lesbian").
  • He is a homosexual. (Note: While grammatically correct, many consider "gay" or "lesbian" to be more common and less clinical.)
• Gay (adj/n): Commonly used to describe men attracted to men, and sometimes as an umbrella term for all homosexual people.
• Lesbian (adj/n): Specifically refers to women who are attracted to women.

Synonyms

• Same-sex attraction: A more descriptive, sometimes clinical phrase.
• Gayness: An informal synonym, often used within the community.

Related Phrases

• To come out (as homosexual/gay/lesbian): To disclose one's homosexuality to others.
  • She came out to her family last year.
• Homosexual acts: Specific sexual behaviors between persons of the same sex, often used in legal contexts.
  • The old statute prohibited homosexual acts.

Related Idioms

(Note: There are few common idioms directly using the word "homosexuality." Cultural expressions more commonly use related terms like "gay" or "lesbian.") - In the closet: Keeping one's homosexuality a secret. - He lived in the closet for many years before coming out. (This idiom uses the related concept but not the exact target word.)

Noun

1. a sexual attraction to (or sexual relations with) persons of the same sex