heterosexuality

American  

[het-er-uh-sek-shoo-al-i-tee, -seks-yoo-] / ˌhɛt ər əˌsɛk ʃuˈæl ɪ ti, -ˌsɛks yu- /

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 Cultural  

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

---

Etymology

Origin of heterosexuality

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

The model of heterosexuality pushed from every corner by conservative media looks oppressive for women and frankly kind of sad for men.

From Salon