Definition of "female" in English

adjective

1. Belonging to the sex which typically produces eggs (ova), or to the gender which is typically associated with it.

   • female authors, the leading male and female artists, a female bird cooing at a male

2. Characteristic of this sex/gender. (Compare feminine, womanly.)

   • stereotypically female pastimes, an insect with typically female coloration

3. Tending to lead to or regulate the development of sexual characteristics typical of this sex.

   • the female chromosome; estrogen, the primary female sex hormone, is produced by both females and males

4. (grammar, less common than 'feminine') Feminine; of the feminine grammatical gender.

5. (of bacteria) Lacking the F factor, and able to receive DNA from another bacterium which does have this factor (a male).

6. (figuratively) Having an internal socket, as in a connector or pipe fitting.

noun

1. One of the female (feminine) sex or gender.

2. A bacterium which lacks the F factor, and is able to receive DNA from another bacterium which has that factor.

3. A female connector, pipe fitting, etc.