prostitution
noun
pros·ti·tu·tion
ˌprä-stə-ˈtü-shən 
-ˈtyü-
1
sometimes offensive; see usage paragraph below
: the act or practice of engaging in sex acts and especially sexual intercourse in exchange for pay : sex work
2
: the state of being involved in or devoted to corrupt or unworthy purposes : debasement
You see, for Michelangelo, painting was only a day job—one he felt was a prostitution of his artistic talent. His passion was sculpture.—
Karen Wall Garrison
Karen Wall Garrison
Usage of Prostitute
The terms sex worker and sex work are now preferred to prostitute and prostitution, which are increasingly rejected as offensive. Additionally, prostitute and prostitution are avoided in contexts relating to victimization especially of children because the words there are seen as an egregious mischaracterization of exploitation.
Synonyms of prostitution
Examples of prostitution in a Sentence
She was arrested for prostitution.
Writing commercials was a prostitution of his talents.
Recent Examples on the Web
He was hired by both the San Ramon Valley Unified School District and the private cheer academy despite prior problems with the law, including a prostitution arrest in the Bay Area.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2025
Emily Hutchins recruited girls into prostitution and kept most of their earnings for herself, according to Tarrant County District Attorney Phil Sorrells.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Dec. 2025
That report launched an investigation which ultimately led to the arrest and conviction of Jeffrey Epstein, who in 2008 pleaded guilty to one count of soliciting prostitution and one count of soliciting prostitution from a minor.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 29 Dec. 2025
Diddy, 56, was sentenced to more than four years behind bars in October after being convicted in July on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
—Tracy Wright , Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prostitution
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Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 31 Dec. 2025
Emily Hutchins recruited girls into prostitution and kept most of their earnings for herself, according to Tarrant County District Attorney Phil Sorrells.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Dec. 2025
That report launched an investigation which ultimately led to the arrest and conviction of Jeffrey Epstein, who in 2008 pleaded guilty to one count of soliciting prostitution and one count of soliciting prostitution from a minor.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 29 Dec. 2025
Diddy, 56, was sentenced to more than four years behind bars in October after being convicted in July on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution.
—Tracy Wright , Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prostitution
Cite this Entry
“Prostitution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prostitution. Accessed 8 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prostitution
noun
pros·ti·tu·tion
ˌpräs-tə-ˈt(y)ü-shən
1
: the acts or practices of a prostitute
2
: the state of being prostituted
Legal Definition
prostitution
noun
pros·ti·tu·tion
ˌpräs-tə-ˈtü-shən, -ˈtyü-
: the act or practice of engaging in sexual activity indiscriminately especially for money
also
: the crime of engaging in such activity
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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