- 1[uncountable, countable] the state of being male or female synonym gender How can you tell what sex a fish is? a process that allows couples to choose the sex of their baby Please indicate your sex and date of birth below. sex discrimination (= the act of treating men and women differently in an unfair way) Testosterone is the male sex hormone.
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- 2[countable] either of the two groups that people, animals, and plants are divided into according to their function of producing young a member of the opposite sex single-sex schools the battle of the sexes (= the competitive relationship that exists between men and women) see fair sex
- 3[uncountable] physical activity between two people in which they join their sexual organs, for pleasure and/or to produce a child It is illegal to have sex with a person under the age of 16. gay sex the sex act a sex attack a sex shop (= one selling magazines, objects, etc. that are connected with sex) sex education in schools These drugs may affect your sex drive (= your interest in sex and the ability to have it). see safe sex, sexual intercourse
- 4-sexed (in adjectives) having the amount of sexual activity or desire mentioned a highly-sexed woman
Check pronunciation: sex