Definition

Noun: 1. Female homosexuality: The state or quality of being a lesbian; sexual or romantic attraction, desire, or behavior between women.

Usage

The term "lesbianism" is used to describe the orientation, identity, or sexual/romantic relationships of women who are attracted to other women. It is a formal or academic term.

Examples

• The study focused on the history of lesbianism in 20th-century literature.
• She wrote openly about her experiences with lesbianism.
• The conference included a panel discussion on the social perceptions of lesbianism.

Advanced Usage

• In academic contexts: The term is often used in sociological, psychological, and historical studies (e.g., "the construction of lesbianism in Victorian society").
• In identity discourse: While "lesbianism" describes the concept or state, many individuals prefer the identity terms "lesbian" or "gay woman" for self-description.

Variants and Related Words

• Lesbian (noun/adjective): A woman who is attracted to other women; relating to lesbians or lesbianism.
  • She is a lesbian. / lesbian literature.
• Sapphism (noun): A synonym for lesbianism, derived from the poet Sappho of Lesbos.
• Homosexuality (noun): Sexual attraction to people of one's own sex. Lesbianism is a specific form of female homosexuality.

Synonyms

• Female homosexuality
• Sapphism

Notes on Usage

• The term is considered neutral in formal and academic writing but can sound clinical. In everyday language, the adjective "lesbian" is more commonly used (e.g., "a lesbian relationship" rather than "a relationship characterized by lesbianism").
• It specifically refers to women. The broader, gender-neutral term for attraction to the same sex is "homosexuality."

Noun

1. female homosexuality