Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Sex is a biological categorization based on physical differences in sexual anatomy, such as chromosomes, hormones, and reproductive organs. It is typically classified as male, female, or intersex in humans.
Related terms
Gender: The social and cultural roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a society considers appropriate for men, women, and other gender identities.
A condition in which an individual's anatomy or genetic makeup doesn't fit typical definitions of male or female.
Chromosomes: Thread-like molecules that carry hereditary information (DNA) used in the development and functioning of living organisms; humans typically have 46 chromosomes arranged into 23 pairs