# gender

/ˈdʒɛndɝ/ (US) · /dʒˈɛndɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gender
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. social identity

noun · CEFR B2

the social and cultural identity of being a man, a woman, or another identity.

For teachers: the state of being a man, woman, or non-binary person, typically in relation to social and cultural roles rather than biological ones.

- The survey asked for my age, gender, and occupation.
- Sociologists argue that gender is a social construct that varies significantly across different cultures and historical periods.

Usage: Often used in contrast with 'sex' to distinguish social identity from biological characteristics.

### 2. grammar

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

a way of grouping nouns into categories like masculine, feminine, or neuter.

For teachers: a grammatical category used to classify nouns, pronouns, and adjectives, often determining agreement between words in a sentence.

- In French, every noun has a gender, either masculine or feminine.
- The German language features three grammatical genders: masculine, feminine, and neuter, which dictate the form of the definite article.

Usage: In linguistics, this is often referred to as 'grammatical gender'.

### 3. biological sex

noun · CEFR B2

the physical category of being male or female.

For teachers: the classification of organisms as male or female based on reproductive functions.

- The doctor noted the gender of the baby during the ultrasound.
- While 'sex' is the preferred technical term in biology, 'gender' is frequently used as a synonym in medical and legal documents.

Teaching tip: In modern academic contexts, using 'gender' to mean 'biological sex' is often discouraged to avoid confusion with social identity.

### 4. mechanical connectors

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the classification of electrical or mechanical parts as 'male' or 'female' so they fit together.

For teachers: the property of matching connectors, where one part (male) fits into another (female) to create a connection.

- Check the gender of the cable before you buy the adapter.
- The technician ensured that the gender of the serial port matched the connector on the peripheral device.

### 5. to assign a category

verb · CEFR C1 · Academic

to treat someone or something as having a specific gender.

For teachers: to attribute a gender to a person, object, or concept; to perceive or address someone through the lens of gendered categories.

- Society often genders certain toys, like dolls for girls and trucks for boys.
- The author explores how the workplace is gendered through subtle language choices and traditional power structures.

Usage: Often used in the passive voice or as a participle (e.g., 'a gendered perspective').

## Examples

- The form asks for your name, age, and gender.
- Sociologists study how gender roles have changed over the last century in response to economic shifts.
- While biological sex is determined by physiological traits, gender is increasingly understood as a performative identity shaped by cultural expectations and individual self-perception.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.