gender expression
noun
: the physical and behavioral manifestations of one's gender identity
People vary greatly in the extent to which they hold and convey gendered thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Gender expression refers to the way people convey their gender through mannerisms, behaviors, or expressions.—
Encyclopedia of Sport and Exercise Psychology
Encyclopedia of Sport and Exercise PsychologyFor most people, … gender expression occurs so naturally it's unnoticeable. Except when gender expression doesn't match traditional notions of the gender assigned at birth.—Will Dean
Will DeanExamples of gender expression in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The ban also prohibited gender-affirming surgeries for trans youth; a study published Thursday found that such surgeries are vanishingly rare among trans youth, but are more commonly performed to affirm cisgender teens’ gender expression.
—Samantha Riedel, Them, 28 June 2024
As much as a new generation of pop and electronic musicians found freedom in SOPHIE’s brash blend of industrial and bubblegum, a generation of trans musicians and fans found themselves in SOPHIE’s gender expression.
—Justin Curto, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2024
Scores range from zero to 100 and are determined by the index’s AI analysis of categories like gender expression, age, skin tone, and more.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2024
Without accurate personal documents that align with their gender expression and other forms of identification, trans people face harassment or discrimination when going about their daily lives, like when applying for a job or enrolling in a new school.
—Orion Rummler, Them, 16 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for gender expression 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Samantha Riedel, Them, 28 June 2024
As much as a new generation of pop and electronic musicians found freedom in SOPHIE’s brash blend of industrial and bubblegum, a generation of trans musicians and fans found themselves in SOPHIE’s gender expression.
—Justin Curto, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2024
Scores range from zero to 100 and are determined by the index’s AI analysis of categories like gender expression, age, skin tone, and more.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2024
Without accurate personal documents that align with their gender expression and other forms of identification, trans people face harassment or discrimination when going about their daily lives, like when applying for a job or enrolling in a new school.
—Orion Rummler, Them, 16 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for gender expression
Articles Related to gender expression
Dictionary Entries Near gender expression
Cite this Entry
“Gender expression.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gender%20expression. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
gender expression
noun
: the physical and behavioral manifestations of one's gender identity
… some transgender people experience gender dysphoria, defined as psychological distress associated with a sense of incongruence between their gender identity and gender expression and/or body and physical appearance.—Jae M. Sevelius et al., International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Jae M. Sevelius et al., International Journal of Environmental Research and Public HealthWomen in couples where both partners have more feminine gender expressions may be more likely to be perceived as sisters or friends by onlookers, making them less likely to be targets of homophobia, but simultaneously making it more likely that their romantic relationship will be dismissed.—Lauren Matheson et al., The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality
Lauren Matheson et al., The Canadian Journal of Human SexualityLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share