clitoris

play

noun cli·to·ris \ˈkli-tə-rəs, kli-ˈtȯr-əs\

Definition of clitoris

plural

clitorises

also

clitorides

play \kli-ˈtȯr-ə-ˌdēz\

: a small erectile female organ located within the anterior junction of the labia minora that develops from the same embryonic mass of tissue as the penis and is responsive to sexual stimulation

clitoral

play \ˈkli-tə-rəl\ or less commonly

clitoric

play \kli-ˈtȯr-ik, -ˈtär-\ adjective

See clitoris defined for English-language learners

See clitoris defined for kids

Recent Examples of clitoris from the Web

Almost two thirds of us undergo infibulation - the most extreme form, which leaves girls with their labia stitched together following excision of the clitoris.

— hawa aden mohamed for cnn, CNN, "Breaking the Silence in the World Capital of Female Genital Mutilation", 5 July 2017
This amazing little device works on both the internal and external clitoris, so all 8,000 of your clitoral nerve endings get some love.

— emily morse, Glamour, "Ask Emily: Which Sex Toys Are Best for Getting It On With My Girlfriend?", 1 July 2017
Your clitoris can actually get a boner when you're turned on.

— zoe ruderman, Cosmopolitan, "22 Vital Facts You Need to Know About Your Vagina", 19 June 2017
The least invasive type involves removing all or part of the clitoris, said Post, who co-authored a column outlining the dangers and the wide spectrum of procedures for an upcoming issue of Lancet.

— alison bowen, chicagotribune.com, "Even for girls in U.S., female genital mutilation and 'vacation cutting' are risks", 13 June 2017
Viloria’s most notable anatomical variant, a larger-than-average clitoris, proved to be a greater source of pleasure than of shame, and so there was little incentive to investigate the root cause, much less fix what wasn’t broken.

— meghan daum, New York Times, "New in Memoir: The Intersex Body, the Dead Body, the Body in Grief", 24 May 2017
Cases run the spectrum, from pricking the clitoris to removing it completely to sewing up skin around the vagina. ... and yet millions are subjected to it.

— michelle krupa, CNN, "The alarming rise of female genital mutilation in America", 11 May 2017
The other was between her legs, her fingers circling her clitoris.

— annamarie houlis, Woman's Day, "This Is What It's Like to Orgasm During Childbirth", 5 Apr. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'clitoris'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of clitoris

New Latin, from Greek kleitoris

NEW!

First Known Use: 1615

See Words from the same year

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

CLITORIS Defined for English Language Learners

clitoris

play

noun

Definition of clitoris for English Language Learners

: a female sexual organ that is small, sensitive, and located on the outside of the body in front of the opening of the vagina

Medical Dictionary

clitoris

play play

noun cli·to·ris \ˈklit-ə-rəs, kli-ˈtȯr-əs\

Medical Definition of clitoris

plural

clitorises

also

clitorides

\kli-ˈtȯr-ə-ˌdēz\play play

: a small erectile female organ located within the anterior junction of the labia minora that develops from the same embryonic mass of tissue as the penis and is responsive to sexual stimulation