lesbianism

[ lez-bee-uh-niz-uhm ]

noun

1. female sexual desire or behavior directed toward people of the same sex or gender; gay female sexual orientation.
2. (of a woman) the state of being sexually attracted only to people of the same sex or gender.

Word History and Origins

Origin of lesbianism¹

First recorded in 1865–70; lesbian + -ism

Example Sentences

She doesn’t understand that lesbianism is the bottom line of the women’s movement.

From Washington Blade

In 2012, Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon caused a stir when she told The New York Times that her lesbianism is a “choice.”

From The Daily Beast

In fact, Victoria refused to legislate against lesbianism because she thought it was physically impossible.

From The Daily Beast

He has warned of “rampant” lesbianism in Oklahoma public high-school bathrooms.

From The Daily Beast

Thus, in the eighteenth century, Casanova remarked that the women of Provence are specially inclined to Lesbianism.

From Project Gutenberg