(~es, ~ing, ~ed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
The two ~es are the two groups, male and female, into which people and animals are divided according to the function they have in producing young.
...an entertainment star who appeals to all ages and both ~es.
...differences between the ~es.
N-COUNT: usu with supp
see also fair ~ , opposite ~ , same-~ , single-~
2.
The ~ of a person or animal is their characteristic of being either male or female.
She continually failed to gain promotion because of her ~...
The new technique has been used to identify the ~ of foetuses.
= gender
N-COUNT: oft with poss
3.
Sex is the physical activity by which people can produce young.
He was very open in his attitudes about ~...
We have a very active ~ life.
N-UNCOUNT
4.
If two people have ~, they perform the act of ~.
Have you ever thought about having ~ with someone other than your husband?
PHRASE: V inflects, pl-n PHR, PHR with n