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gender expression

American  
[jen-der ik-spresh-uhn] / ˈdʒɛn dər ɪkˈsprɛʃ ən /

noun

  1. the way a person externally performs or signifies their gender identity, especially through habits of dressing, grooming, behaving, speaking, etc.


Etymology

Origin of gender expression

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

California education code “ensures equal rights and opportunities for every student” and “prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation.”

From Los Angeles Times Apr. 23, 2025

“California law is unaffected by recent changes to federal policy and continues to provide safeguards against discrimination and harassment based on gender, gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation,” he wrote in a statement.

From Salon Feb. 1, 2025

Velour’s progressive mother is more concerned with her child’s politics than her gender expression.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 20, 2024

Students whose gender expression does not present as obviously male or female get questioned by other students, McAfee added, according to The Times.

From Salon Feb. 22, 2024

While Juliet is too young to medically transition, she has socially and legally transitioned by changing her gender expression, and amending her legal name and gender marker on most of her official documents.

From Seattle Times Sep. 16, 2023

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