Yes, based on the primary definition of the word, a queen is a female.
Understanding the Definition of "Queen"
The definition of "queen" clearly identifies the term's core meaning in relation to gender. According to the provided reference, a queen is defined as:
- a female sovereign or monarch.
This initial and most formal definition confirms that a queen who rules in her own right is female.
Exploring Other Uses of the Term
Beyond the ruling sovereign, the term "queen" is also used in contexts that are consistently associated with females or female personifications, as highlighted in the reference:
- The wife or consort of a king.
- A woman, or something personified as a woman, that is foremost or preeminent in any respect.
Examples of this latter usage include titles like a "movie queen" or a "beauty queen," both referring to a woman who is preeminent in her field. Even when referring to a place or abstract concept, it is often personified as a woman to signify its supreme status, such as calling a city "the queen of the Aegean."
In every major application of the term, whether referring to a ruler, a consort, or a woman of preeminence, the identifier remains female.
