pornography

por·nog·ra·phy

noun \-fē\

Definition of PORNOGRAPHY

1

: the depiction of erotic behavior (as in pictures or writing) intended to cause sexual excitement

2

: material (as books or a photograph) that depicts erotic behavior and is intended to cause sexual excitement

3

: the depiction of acts in a sensational manner so as to arouse a quick intense emotional reaction <the pornography of violence>

— por·no·graph·ic \ˌpȯr-nə-ˈgra-fik\ adjective

— por·no·graph·i·cal·ly \-fi-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Examples of PORNOGRAPHY

1. If you ask me, his movies are just high-class pornography.

Origin of PORNOGRAPHY

Greek pornographos, adjective, writing about prostitutes, from pornē prostitute + graphein to write; akin to Greek pernanai to sell, poros journey — more at fare, carve

First Known Use: 1858

Rhymes with PORNOGRAPHY

cartography, discography, stenography