# sexes

/ˈsɛksəz/ (US) · /sˈɛksɪz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sexes
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. male and female groups

noun · CEFR A2

the two main groups, male and female, that living things are divided into based on their biology.

For teachers: the two main categories, male and female, into which humans and most other living things are divided on the basis of their reproductive functions.

- The survey asked for responses from both sexes to ensure a fair result.
- Research indicates that certain autoimmune diseases affect the sexes differently, with a higher prevalence often noted in female patients.

## Examples

- The law says you cannot treat the sexes differently at work.
- In many bird species, the two sexes look very different, with the males often having much brighter feathers.
- Sociologists often study how different cultures perceive the roles of the sexes and how these perceptions influence the distribution of power within a community.

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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.